DRDO Successfully Flight-Tests Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)

📌 Summary:

• The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on 15 June 2026
• All test objectives were met, validated by tracking instruments of the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
• The LRLACM is indigenously developed, with sub-systems built by various DRDO labs and Indian industry partners; Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru is the nodal laboratory
• The launch was witnessed by Indian Navy and Indian Air Force user representatives, underlining tri-service deployment intent

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Science & Tech / Defence — indigenous missile development, self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in defence technology

📝 Prelims Facts:

• LRLACM test site: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha coast (15 June 2026)
• Nodal laboratory: Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru
• Tracking by Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur

🔑 Key Term: Cruise Missile — a guided missile that flies at relatively low altitude on a sustained, self-powered, aerodynamic flight path to deliver a precise strike, unlike a ballistic missile's high-arc trajectory.