DRDO in overdrive!

New generation ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ successfully tested

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha at 1106 hrs on 18 December 2021. Various telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and down range ships positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile trajectory and parameters. The missile followed text book trajectory meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy.

The Agni P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system. This second flight-test has proven the reliable performance of all the advanced technologies integrated into the system. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for the successful flight test and expressed his happiness for the excellent performance of the system. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of the team to have done the second development flight trial with many additional features and congratulated for the consecutive success within the same calendar year.

Flight test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile

The Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile was successfully flight tested on 7 December 2021 by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The launch was conducted from a vertical launcher against an electronic target at a very low altitude. The flight path of the vehicle along with health parameters were monitored using a number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur. All sub-systems performed as per expectation. This launch of the system was conducted to validate integrated operation of all weapon system components including the vertical launcher unit with controller, canisterised flight vehicle, weapon control system etc. required for future launches of the missile from Indian naval ships. The test launch was monitored by senior officials from DRDO and Indian Navy. The first trial was conducted on 22 February 2021 and this was a confirmatory trial to prove the consistent performance of the configuration and integrated operation.

Secretary Department of Defence Research & Development & Chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy complemented the teams involved in the successful flight test and said that this paved the way for integration of weapon system onboard Indian naval ships.

Air version of BrahMos test-fired from IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI

Air version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired from an IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI at 1030 hrs from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on 8 December

2021. In this copy book flight, the missile launched from the aircraft followed the pre-planned trajectory meeting all mission objectives. The launch was a major milestone in the BrahMos development. It clears the system for the serial production of airversion BrahMos missiles within the country and major airframe assemblies which form the integral part of the ramjet engine are indigenously developed by Indian industry. These include metallic and non-metallic air frame sections comprising ramjet fuel tank and pneumatic fuel supply system. During the test, the structural integrity and functional performance were proven. The air version of BrahMos was last flight tested in July 2021.

Successful tests for Pinaka Extended Range System

Successful tests of Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER), Area Denial Munitions (ADM) and indigenously developed fuzes were carried out at various test ranges on 11 December 2021. The Pinaka-ER Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System was successfully tested at Pokharan range. The system is jointly designed by laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Armament

Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

A total of 24 rockets were fired for different ranges and warhead capabilities to meet the objectives of accuracy and consistency. With this, the initial phase of technology absorption of Pinaka-ER by the industry partner has successfully been completed making the industry partner ready for series production of the rocket system. The Pinaka-ER is the upgraded version of earlier Pinaka version which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been designed in the light of emerging requirements with advanced technologies enhancing the range.

DRDO and IAF test Stand-Off Anti-Tank Missile

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) flight-tested the indigenously designed and developed helicopter launched Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) Missile from Pokhran ranges on 11 December 2021. The flighttest was successful in meeting all its mission objectives. The release mechanism, advanced guidance and tracking algorithms, all avionics with integrated software, performed satisfactorily and tracking systems monitored all mission events. The missile is equipped with a state-of-the-art MMW seeker which provides high precision strike capability from a safe distance. The weapon can neutralise targets in a range up to 10 kms.

The SANT missile has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in coordination with other DRDO labs and participation from industries. This is the third in the series of indigenous stand-off weapons to be tested in recent times after long range bomb and smart anti airfield weapon for strengthening the arsenal of IAF.

Supersonic missile assisted torpedo system (SMART) successfully launched

DRDO developed supersonic missile assisted torpedo system SMART was successfully launched from Wheeler Island in Odisha on 13 December 2021. The system is a next generation missile-based standoff torpedo delivery system. During the mission, full range capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated. The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far

beyond the conventional range of the torpedo. This was a text book launch, where the entire trajectory was monitored by the electro optic telemetry system, various range radars, including the down range instrumentation and down range ships. The missile carried a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanisms.

This canister-based missile system consists of advanced technologies via a two stage solid propulsion, electro-mechanical actuators and precision inertial navigation. The missile is launched from ground mobile launcher and it can cover a range of distances. A number of DRDO laboratories developed various technologies for this advanced missile system. Industry participated in the development and production of various sub-systems.

Flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System

Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra conducted a flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500) on 18 December 2021. ADRDE, Agra is an R&D laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the flight demonstration was part of a series of activities organised towards celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, commemorating 75 years of Independence.

The CADS-500 is used for precise delivery of payload upto 500 kgs at predetermined location by making use of manoeuvrable capabilities of Ram Air Parachute (RAP). It uses Global Positioning System for the coordinates, altitude and heading sensors for the heading information during its flight. The CADS, with its onboard electronics unit, autonomously steers its flight path using waypoint navigation towards target location by operating controls. System performance was demonstrated at Drop Zone, Malpura from an altitude of 5000m. The system was para-dropped from an An-32 aircraft and then steered to the predesignated landing point in autonomous mode. Eleven paratroopers of Indian Army and Indian Air Force chased the CADS-500 in air and landed simultaneously.

Flight-test of indigenous aerial target ‘Abhyas’

DRDO successfully conducted the indigenously developed Highspeed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) Abhyas on 23 December 2021 from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast, Odisha. During the flight trial, high subsonic speed trajectory at a very low altitude with high endurance was demonstrated. Two boosters provided initial acceleration during launch and a small turbo jet engine is used to sustain high subsonic speed with long endurance. The indigenous data link designed by Bengaluru based industry partner was successfully flown and tested during the flight.

The performance of the system during the entire flight duration was confirmed from the data captured by various Range instruments deployed.

Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru based DRDO laboratory along with other DRDO laboratories developed this indigenous unmanned aerial target system to meet the requirement of aerial targets of Indian Armed Forces. The aircraft is controlled from a ground based controller and an indigenously developed MEMS based Inertial Navigation System along with the Flight Control Computer which helps it to follow the pre-designated path in a fully autonomous mode.

Maiden launch of new generation surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’

Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully conducted maiden flight test of indigenously developed surfaceto-surface missile ‘Pralay’, from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on 22 December 2021. The mission met all its objectives. The new missile followed the desired quasi ballistic

trajectory and reached the designated target with high degree accuracy, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms. All the sub-systems performed satisfactorily. All the sensors deployed near the impact point across the eastern coast, including the down range ships, tracked the missile trajectory and captured all the events.

The missile is powered with solid propellant rocket motor and many new technologies. The missile has a range of 150-500 kms and can be launched from a mobile launcher and the missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.

Second flight-test of conventional SSM ‘Pralay’

DRDO successfully conducted a second flight-test of indigenously developed conventional surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on 23 December 2021. For the first time, two consecutive flight tests of a ballistic missile were conducted successfully on two consecutive days. The flight test met all the mission objectives. This launch proved the system in both the configurations of the missile. In this launch, the ‘Pralay’ missile was tested for heavier payload and different range to prove the precision and lethality of the weapon. This launch was monitored by all the range sensors and instruments, including telemetry, radar and electro-optic tracking system deployed across the eastern coast and the down range ships positioned near the impact point.

MPATGM in final deliverable configuration flight test

DRDO successfully flight tested the final deliverable configuration of Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on 11 January 2022. The indigenously developed anti-tank missile is a low weight, fire and forget missile and is launched from a man portable launcher, integrated with thermal sight. The missile impacted the designated target and destroyed it. The final impact event was captured on camera and the test has validated the minimum range successfully.

The present test was to prove the consistent performance for the minimum range. All the mission objectives were met. The missile has miniaturised infrared imaging seeker and advanced avionics for on-board control and guidance. The missile performance has been proven for the maximum range in earlier test trials.