Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of indigenously-developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile launched from a naval helicopter from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on 18 May 2022. The mission met all its objectives. It is the first indigenous air launched anti-ship missile system for the Indian Navy. The missile followed the desired sea skimming trajectory and reached the designated target with high degree of accuracy, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms. All the sub-systems performed satisfactorily. The sensors deployed across the test range and near impact point tracked the missile trajectory and captured all the events. The missile employed many new technologies, including an indigenously developed launcher for the helicopter. The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics. The flight test was witnessed by senior officers of DRDO and the Indian Navy.
Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-4, successfully tested
A successful training launch of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-4, was carried out at approximately 1930 hours on 6 June 2022 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The successful test was part of routine user training launches carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command. The launch validated all operational parameters as also the reliability of the system. The successful test reaffirms India's policy of having a 'Credible Minimum Deterrence' Capability.
Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile successfully flight-tested
Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy from an Indian Naval Ship at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on 24 June 2022. The VL-SRSAM, a ship borne weapon system, is meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets. The launch of the system was conducted against a high speed aerial target mimicking aircraft, which was successfully engaged. The flight path of the vehicle along with health parameters were monitored using a number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur. The test launch was monitored by senior officials from DRDO & the Indian Navy. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar appreciated the Indian Navy and DRDO for the successful flight test of the VL-SRSAM and said that the development of this indigenous missile system would further strengthen the defensive capabilities of the Indian Navy. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy complimented the teams involved in the successful flight test. He said, the test has proved the integration of indigenous weapon system onboard Indian naval ships.
Laser-Guided ATGM successfully tested by DRDO
Indigenously-developed Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) was successfully test-fired from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army at KK Ranges with support of Armoured Corps Centre & School (ACC&S) Ahmednagar on 28 June 2022. In the test, the ATGM hit the bull’s eye with textbook precision and successfully defeated the target at minimum ranges. Telemetry systems recorded the satisfactory flight performance of the missile. The all-indigenous ATGM employs a tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected armoured vehicles. The ATGM has been developed with multi-platform launch capability and is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from 120 mm rifled gun of MBT Arjun. Engaging the targets at lower ranges is a challenge due to the dimensional constraints of tank launched ATGMs, which has been successfully accomplished by the ATGM for MBT Arjun. With the trial, the ATGM’s capability to engage targets from minimum to maximum range has been established. Earlier the trials have been successful for maximum range.
High speed Expendable Aerial Target ABHYAS tested
ABHYAS
– High speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was successfully flight-tested
from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on 29
June 2022. The performance of the aircraft at low altitude including sustained
level and high manoeuvrability was demonstrated during the test flight. The
target aircraft was flown from a ground based controller in a pre-designated
low altitude flight path, which was monitored by various tracking sensors
deployed by ITR, including radar and electro-optical targeting system.
ABHYAS is designed and developed by Aeronautical
Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO). The air vehicle was launched using twin under-slung boosters which
provide the initial acceleration to the vehicle. It is powered by a small gas
turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at high subsonic speed. The
target aircraft is equipped with micro-electromechanical systems-based inertial
navigation system for navigation along with the flight control computer for
guidance and control along with indigenous radio altimeter for very low
altitude flight and data link for encrypted communication between the ground
control station and target aircraft. The vehicle is programmed for fully
autonomous flight.
