India Achieves Milestone with Successful Anti-Ship Missile Test Featuring Retargeting Technology
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Synopsis
India has made a significant stride in enhancing its maritime power with the successful flight trials of the NASM-SR, a cutting-edge naval anti-ship missile featuring advanced retargeting technology.
Key Takeaways
- Successful flight trials of NASM-SR missile.
- Demonstrated man-in-loop feature for in-flight retargeting.
- Achieved direct hit on a concealed target.
- Utilizes indigenous technologies for guidance and control.
- Collaboration among various DRDO labs and industry partners.
New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) In a significant advancement for India's maritime capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) alongside the Indian Navy successfully completed flight trials of a pioneering naval anti-ship missile (NASM-SR) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.
The missile was launched in a bearing-only lock-on after launch mode, with multiple targets in proximity for selection.
Initially, the missile locked onto a large target within a designated search area, and during the terminal phase, the pilot was able to choose a smaller, concealed target, achieving a direct hit with remarkable precision.
As per the Defence Ministry, the anti-ship missile trials took place on Tuesday and showcased the missile’s effectiveness against ship targets when launched from a Seaking helicopter operated by the navy.
The trials confirmed the missile’s man-in-loop capability, successfully hitting a small ship target in a sea-skimming mode at its maximum range.
The Defence Ministry also noted that the missile employs an indigenous imaging infrared seeker for terminal guidance. The mission illustrated the operational high bandwidth two-way datalink system, which allows for the transmission of the seeker’s live imagery back to the pilot for in-flight retargeting.
This missile utilizes a fiber optic gyroscope-based INS and radio altimeter for mid-course guidance, alongside an integrated avionics module, electro-mechanical actuators for aerodynamic and jet vane control, thermal batteries, and a PCB warhead. It features solid propulsion with an in-line ejectable booster and a long-burn sustainer.
The trials successfully achieved all mission objectives.
Developed by various DRDO labs including the Research Centre Imarat, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, the missiles are currently being manufactured with the support of development-cum-production partners, MSMEs, startups, and other entities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed his congratulations to the DRDO, the Indian Navy, and industry partners for the successful flight tests. He emphasized that the man-in-loop capabilities are unique, providing the ability for in-flight retargeting.
