Su-30MKI Set to Carry Enhanced Load of LRLACMs on Single Sortie Operations

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Pushes Ahead with Air-Launched Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making significant strides in developing an air-launched variant of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM), which is set to bolster the firepower of India's Su-30MKI fighter jets. According to sources, the DRDO is working diligently to keep the missile's weight under 900 kg, a feat that would make it lighter than its ground-launched counterpart.

The air-launched LRLACM, designed to be launched from a fighter jet like the Su-30MKI, will feature optimised air intakes to cater to the unique demands of aerial operations. This innovation will enable the missile to be launched from a fighter jet without the need for an additional booster stage. By keeping the missile's weight under 1 ton, a baseline Su-30MKI can potentially carry at least two air-launched LRLACMs per sortie, while a dedicated, structurally modified Su-30 that was developed to deliver one BrahMos-A ALCM can carry four LRLACMs per sortie.

Key Features and Capabilities

• The air-launched LRLACM will be powered by the Manik engine, which is currently undergoing calibration to support drop and engine starts without a booster stage.
• Computer simulations of the missile and data generated from its separation trials in simulation have already been carried out, paving the way for carriage trials to commence soon.
• The missile will be tested for a range of 500-700 km in its initial phases, with the range expected to be extended up to 1000 km in later stages.
• Most of the systems and sub-systems of the missiles have already been validated, including its Manik engine from the ground-based variant, which has been tested.
• The airframe of the missile will be optimised for being dropped from fighter jets like Su-30MKI and later from Tejas MkII, Rafale, and AMCA.

Integration and Testing

• Captive carriage trials are expected to take place in 2026, followed by separation/flight trials in 2027.
• After that, gravity drop trials at ~Mach 0.6 are being planned, after which the turbofan lights in airflow.
• The DRDO plans to use the same BrahMos-A pylon and certified hardpoints for the testing of the missile.

Future Prospects

• The lighter weight of the LRLACM makes Tejas Mk2 and Rafale realistic future integration candidates.
• However, platform integration requires interface data and mission-computer integration agreements with the OEM; in the case of Rafale integration, this might require Dassault to be on board the program.

The development of the air-launched LRLACM is a significant step forward for India's defence capabilities, offering a potent tool for deep strike operations. With its advanced features and capabilities, this missile is poised to play a crucial role in enhancing the firepower of India's fighter jets and bolstering the country's national security.