Q. With respect to the Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Ammunition (CALM) System, consider the following statements:
- It is a pre-loaded canister with loiter ammunition or a drone.
- The CALM System had been used in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
- Loiter munitions are smaller, cheaper and less complex systems than combat or armed drones.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer:
1, 2 & 3
Notes:
- The CALM (Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Ammunition) System is a pre-loaded canister with loiter ammunitionor a drone. Loiter munitions are a mix of a surface-to-surface missile and a drone.
- Once fired it can remain aloft for a period of time over the area of operation,and when a target is sighted it can be guided down to destroy the target with the explosive payload that it carries.
- Usually, loiter ammunition carry a camera which is nose-mountedand which can be used by the operator to see the area of operation and choose targets.
- These munitions also have variants which can be recovered and reused in case they are not used for any strike.
- The top-down attack capability of the loiter ammunition gives it a big advantageover targets such as tanks which are vulnerable to any attack on the top where the armour protection is weak.
- Loiter munitions are smaller, cheaper and less complex systems than combat or armed drones.
- The CALM System had been very effectively used in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflictin 2021 where the Azerbaijan forces made extensive use of Israeli systems to wreak havoc on Armenian tanks, radar systems, communication hubs and other military targets.
- The Russian military is also using their ZALA KYB loiter ammunition in Ukrainewhile some reports say that the US has also provided Ukraine with its Switchblade loiter munitions that could target Russian armour 10 km away.
- The CALM Systems will be used in the plains and deserts of the Western parts of the countryas well as the Northern high-altitude areas of heights up to 5,000 metres.
- It will be employed by the Mechanised Infantry units of the Army for surveillance of beyond line-of-sight targetsby day and night in real time and beyond visual range engagement of enemy armoured fighting vehicles and other ground-based weapon platforms over extended ranges.