Indian Nuclear & Missile Development, News & Discussions

[niteshkjain]

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItem...41606&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Jun 14, 2008

'Sudarsana chakra' for Army
Saturday June 14 2008 14:37 IST
Tiki Rajwi

T'PURAM: Sudarsana Chakra,’ the powerful weapon of Hindu mythology, which does a U-turn homewards after each destructive mission, may not be far from becoming a very real member of India’s futuristic military arsenal.

Buoyed by the success of the Indo- Russian venture BrahMos universal supersonic cruise missiles, Indian scientists are contemplating a re-usable projectile which will revolutionise the war theatre.

‘‘It’s basically a delivery system, which will return after delivering the warhead,’’ A Sivathanu Pillai, DRDO chief controller (Research and Development) and CEO and MD of Brah-Mos Aerospace, told Express on the sidelines of a function here. Today, missiles - supersonic or subsonic - are ‘use-and-throw’ devices which destruct along with the target.

The re-usable version can be very roughly compared to an unmanned aerial vehicle used normally for reconnaissance, but of the lethal weapon type. The plus point of a reusable projectile is that the delivery system, which transports the payload - in this case it could be a nuclear warhead - can be used multiple times for delivering warheads.

The advantages, Sivathanu Pillai said, are many; the obvious one being reduced cost of missile production. Though the delivery system will have to carry enough fuel for a round trip, even that would not be an expensive proposition, as the fuel is kerosene-based, he said.

Though India is planning a hypersonic version of the BrahMos missile, the re-usable version will not be a variant of it, Sivathanu Pillai said. The hypersonic versions will be able to fly above Mach 4, or four times the speed of sound. The supersonic BrahMos missile developed jointly by India and Russia and inducted by the Indian Army and the Indian Navy flies at Mach 2.8 speeds.

 

[niteshkjain]

http://timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=9882

India gearing up to test missile shield

6/15/2008 2:55:39 PM


Graphical representation of the locations where the anti-missile will be tested
After developing its state-of-art missile programme, India takes a step forward to bolster its huge missile arsenal by developing an anti-missile shiled which will not only protect our metros but also our sensitive installation from any conventional or nuclear attack. A missile attack in any of the metros can cause huge devastation, which would be unthinkable off. However, with this improvised version of 'Aakash' missile system, India will possess an anti-missile system that has the capacity to destroy any nuclear attack.

The anti-missile shield that India hopes to build will have highly-sensitive radars that can track the incoming missile, the interceptor missile that can destroy it and a guidance system that ensure the two missile collide all within a matter of seconds.

Dr VK Saraswat, Defence Scientist said that this missile becomes absolutely imperative as far as India is concerned because of the highly populated metros. The missile shield is expected to protect India's key oil wells and nuclear installations

The two thousand crore project will be put through a crucial test after two successful trials by September 2008. This much needed missile shield will be ready soon, but everything will have to work out well as it should be perfect enough to conduct its operations in seconds.

 

[niteshkjain]

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1171471


Govt allots Rs2,500 cr for Agni-V
Josy Joseph
Monday, June 16, 2008 03:58 IST


N-capable missile will have range of 5000km n Shanghai, Beijing will be in striking distance

NEW DELHI :The Union government has sanctioned Rs2,500 crore for developing the country’s most ambitious missile, a nuclear-capable Agni-V with a range of 5,000 kilometres — one step short of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Agni V is expected to emerge as a credible key nuclear delivery weapon in about seven years time.

Sources said a high-level committee headed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh sanctioned the budget for Agni-V, the biggest indigenous single missile project, a few days ago.

A committee comprising the prime minister, defence minister A K Antony and finance minister P Chidambaram sanctions such strategic projects.

India’s longest range missile, the Agni V would be primarily a step forward from 3,000-km range Agni-III, which was successfully test-fired last on May 7.

Sources indicate, as reported earlier by DNA, the government is not willing to consider development of a full-fledged ICBM that has a range of over 8,000 kilometres.

Concerns about international pressure are holding India back from developing an ICBM. Given India’s space capabilities and success in developing launch vehicles, it is no technological challenge for India to develop a full-fledged ICBM.

Agni-V should be ready for test flights in “about four years,” said a dependable source. DRDO would primarily add one more stage to the two-stage Agni-III missile for creating Agni-V and improve upon its other systems. Agni-V would be a three-stage Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) with solid propellants.

It would have a range of 5,000 kilometres, according to the DRDO’s notification given for political approval.

The design of Agni-V is expected to be ready in about two years, and the first test could be anytime in three to four years.
Along with Agni V, the DRDO is venturing into a series of new generation missiles, and several of them are going to be joint ventures with foreign partners, on the lines of the BrahMos cruise missile, an Indo-Russian project.

Among the key partners for DRDO would be Israelis and some European firms.

 

[niteshkjain]

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080617/jsp/frontpage/story_9422637.jsp

Star wars drill in the works
- Earth station to keep satellites out of line of missile fire
SUJAN DUTTA

Cartosat 2A being launched
New Delhi, June 16: Indian space scientists are setting up an earth station to keep a lookout for missiles fired at Indian satellites and take them out of the line of fire, a senior Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) officer said here today.

The disclosure — effectively meaning that India is evolving its version of a star wars programme — came alongside a call by the army chief, General Deepak Kapur, to set up a joint military space command.

General Kapur prefaced his call with remarks on the expansion of China’s military-space projects.

China shot down one of its old weather satellites with a missile in a test on January 11 last year, becoming the third country after the US and Russia to demonstrate the capability and sparking concerns over the weaponisation of space.

The response to the Chinese ASAT (anti-satellite missile) was being prepared, Geeta Varadan, the programme director for special projects at Isro, said at a meeting on Indian military applications in space.

“The first is a geo-stationary satellite that we are trying to put up (to keep a lookout for probable missiles) and we are also setting up a ground station to monitor any object coming close to our satellites so that we can move our satellites out of harm’s way,” she said.

“There should not be a threat,” she added, “because our space programme is entirely peaceful but we have to be prepared.”

Since its inception, Isro has launched 50 satellites. Its more advanced satellites, like the Cartosat I and the recently launched Cartosat 2A, also have military applications with superior imagery technology.

Varadan said the Cartosat 2A can give sub-metre resolution (.8 metre) for pictures and was meant for cartographic purposes.

But the military would also like to use the satellite for surveillance. Varadan said Isro hoped to launch a satellite in five years that can send even sharper — at .3 metre resolution — imagery.

Kapur himself praised the quality of images that have been received so far from the Cartosat 2A. He said: “The establishment of a tri-service space command for persistent surveillance and rapid response is required in the future.” The army had taken up an initiative by creating a space cell at its headquarters.

Kapur noted that “(the) Chinese space programme is expanding at an exponentially rapid pace in both offensive and defensive content”.

He said the army, the navy and the air force had to jointly develop institutions that will eventually lead to the creation of a space command.

“The Indian Army’s agenda for exploitation of space will have to evolve dynamically. It should be our endeavour to optimise space applications for military purposes,” the army chief said.

Last week, defence minister A.K. Antony announced the creation of a space cell in the headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS).

IDS chief Lt General Hardev Lidder, who was also at today’s meeting, said weaponisation of space was inevitable.

“We may get sucked into the inevitable military race of space-based applications in warfare and protection of space assets,” he said.

 

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check out this interesting article,it seems that several top indian private companies are lining up to manufacture the akash missile systems for the indian air force,this shows the level of confidence that these private companies have about the maturity of the akash missile technology.

here is the link and the article:

http://www.livemint.com/2008/07/02005539/5-cos-in-line-to-share-IAF-mis.html

Bangalore: State-run defence equipment makers Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd and three private sector entities, including Larsen and Toubro Ltd, or L&T, and Tata Power Ltd, are in the running to share a Rs2,000 crore Indian Air Force order for the Akash missile system.
The public sector firms will produce radars and missiles, while L&T, Tata Power and Walchandnagar Industries Ltd would build systems such as mobile launchers, engines and software control systems, a senior defence official said.
“These five (companies) are the main players, there are 40 more small firms who will build subsystems,” said Prahlada, chief controller, research and development, at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He uses only one name.
The air force is committed to placing orders for two squadrons of the medium-range, surface-to-air missile system, developed indigenously by DRDO. An air force spokesperson declined to comment.
Prahlada did not say how the Rs2,000 crore order, the first by the air force for a locally developed tactical missile system, would be split between the firms. The order is likely be placed in July and the first squadron, to replace the ageing Russian-built Pechora missile system, is scheduled for delivery to the air force by 2011.
“Involving the industry (for production) is the way to move forward,” said Ratan Shrivastava, director of aerospace and defence at research firm Frost and Sullivan. “These firms will gain confidence as they mature in absorbing the techn-ology.”
The Akash missile, 6m-long and weighing 730kg, has been in the works for nearly two decades, making it among the most delayed missile projects undertaken by DRDO.
The air force has asked for an upgrade of the missile systems and radar in the version that will go into production, a person familiar with the development said.
Bharat Electronics chairman and managing director V.V.R. Sastry declined to comment, while spokespersons of L&T and Bharat Dynamics could not be reached.

 

[niteshkjain]

http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20080706/1416/tnl-drdo-to-undertake-first-full-test-fl.html

DRDO to undertake first full test flight of ASTRA missile

Sun, Jul 6 02:17 PM

A K Dhar New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) In a major technology leap, Indian defence scientists are ready to go ahead with the first full test flight of its indigenously developed air to air beyond visual range missile, ASTRA. The test flight from an IAF Sukhoi fighter aircraft could be undertaken "anytime in the next 45 days", top DRDO officials said. A successful test flight of ASTRA will plunge India into a select group of nations to have such a technology.

Only US, France, Russia and China have so far produced such advance missiles, which enables fighter pilots to lock-on and shoot down enemy aircraft almost 90-120 km away. Describing ASTRA as a futuristic missile, DRDO scientists said the weapon will intercept the target at mach 1.2 to 1.4 speed.

The missile has already been tested on ground to prove its avionics, guidance and other sub-systems including propulsion. Any success with air to air ASTRA missile will come as another milestone in defence research and cap recent strings of success the DRDO scientists have had in building at producing for the country -- short to medium range -- surface to surface missile system capable of delivering nuclear war heads at long distances.

Hope the test goes successfully, will this lead to replacement of R77ER India is using?

 

[niteshkjain]

Related to above post. I had just made the important parts as BOLD.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/06astra.htm

Coming soon from India's defence unit: ASTRA missile
July 06, 2008 15:08 IST

In a major technology leap, Indian defence scientists are ready to go ahead with the first full test flight of its indigenously developed air to air beyond visual range missile, ASTRA.

The test-flight from an IAF Sukhoi fighter aircraft could be undertaken "anytime in the next 45 days", top DRDO officials said.

A successful test flight of ASTRA will plunge India into a select group of nations to have such a technology. Only US, France [Images], Russia [Images] and China have so far produced such advance missiles, which enables fighter pilots to lock-on and shoot down enemy aircraft almost 90-120 km away.

Describing ASTRA as a futuristic missile, DRDO scientists said the weapon will intercept the target at mach 1.2 to 1.4 speed. The missile has already been tested on ground to prove its avionics, guidance and other sub-systems including propulsion.

Any success with air to air ASTRA missile will come as another milestone in defence research and cap recent strings of success the DRDO scientists have had in building at producing for the country -- short to medium range � surface to surface missile system capable of delivering nuclear warheads at long distances. The test firing of the ASTRA missile may coincide with the second test firing of country's anti-missile missile, which is also due by September this year.

The defence scientists are also near breakthrough in test firing the country's first underwater launch ballistic missile, Sagarika.

Sagarika has already been test-fired from a pontoon, but now DRDO is planning a full-fledged test of the missile from a sub-marine and for this purpose may use the services of a Russian Amur class sub-marine.

Planned to arm the country's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas, ASTRA after user trail by IAF may now be initially integrated with the SU-30 MKI and later with LCA.

Though DRDO scientist refused to give out the range of the ASTRA missile, sources said for extreme high altitude interdiction the initial series of ASTRA missile will have 90-110 km skill range.

But at lower altitudes of up to 30,000 ft the missile will have a range of 44 kms and those launched at sea level of up to 30 km.

DRDO officials said ASTRA could also arm the IAF's frontline aircraft MIG-29 and Mirage 2000 which are to go in for mid-life upgradation this year.

 

[niteshkjain]

check this news, finally some info is out about Astra test, so test is with ground launcher

http://frontierindia.net/nag-missile-to-be-tested-by-indian-army-in-july

Nag Missile to be tested by Indian Army in July

Written on July 8, 2008 – 7:59 pm | by FIDSNS |

The summer trials of NAG Anti-Tank missile will be carried out by the Indian Army by this July end. These trials will be the final trials to decide the induction of the missiles. The third generation, hit-to-kill anti-tank missile may be inducted into the Army by the year-end or early next year depending upon the completion of the user trials. The user trials will involve missiles would be fired against static and moving targets. NAG Missile has a range of 4 kilometers.

NAG missile is equipped with imaging infrared seeker (IIR), lock-on-before launch (LOBL) capability with the seeker tracking the target prior its launch. The missile,can be operated day or night and has top-attack capability.

Astra air to air missile is scheduled to be launched by the end of August this year. The Astra missile will be launched from ground based launcher. The missile will be fitted with a dummy seeker. An external radar will guide the missile to its moving target in the air. This test will verify all the characteristics of the missile except the seeker capability.

By September end the anti-ballistic missiles will be tested. The exo and endo atmospheric missiles may be tested in tandem. Earlier, these anti-ballistic missiles have been tested individually.

 

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check out this interesting link ,it contains information on some of the indian missile projects.

these projects include the nag anti tank missile,the helina missile( helicopter launched nag missile),the astra beyond visual range air to air missile,the brahmos supersonic land attack cruise missile, and the hstdv hypersonic re-usable missile.

here is the link:

http://www.drdo.com/labs/drdl/areas.html

AKASH

The supersonic surface to air missile ‘AKASH’ has a range of about 25Km and carries fragmentation warhead which is triggered by radio proximity fuse. The missile uses state-of-technology integral ramjet rocket propulsion system and the onboard digital autopilot ensures stability and maneuvers. The multi function phased array radar tracks the targets and guides missiles towards them. The weapon system has a network of radar sensors to effectively manage the air threats.
Salient Features

• Multidirectional, Multitarget Engagement
• Fully automated operation
• Targets – Fighter A/C, UAV, Helicopter, Cruise Missile
• All Terrain mobility
• All weather operation
• Advanced ECCM
• Custom configured to meet user requirements

NAG (Third Generation Anti-Tank Missile)

Third generation Anti-Tank Missile System ‘NAG’ has “fire and forget” and “top attack” capabilities. The Lock-on-before Launch Imaging Infra Red (IIR) homing provides capability for Day & Night operation. The Missile excels as a formidable support weapon for the Mechanised Infantry and Attack Helicopter formations.The Imaging Infra Red homing seeker has all-weather day and night capability.
The Nag system is for deployment on “NAMICA”, A tracked vehicle and on a Helicopter. Top attack mode using the advanced homing guidance system and tandem shaped charge warhead is used to defeat heaviest armour. In addition, high energy, smokeless propellant, light weight, high strength composite airframe with foldable wings and fins, onboard real-time processor with fast and efficient algorithms, compact sensor package and electric actuation system, digital autopilot and high immunity to counter measures make this missile a state-of-art Anti-Tank Guided Missile System.
Salient Features

• RANGE-4.0Km
• Fire & Force capability in lock-on-before-launch mode
• “Day & Night operation (imaging infrared seeker)
• ‘Top-Attack’ capability
• High SSKP (Single Shot Kill Probability
• Capability to defeat future tic tanks & other hard target

NAMICA

Salient Features

• 8 Nos. Ready-to-fire missiles on the turret
• Option for additional 4 missiles in storage
• 4 missiles can be fired in 1 minute
• Mobility matching BMF-11

ASTRA

ASTRA is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air to air missile indigenously designed and developed to engage and destroy highly maneuvering supersonic aerial targets. This highly agile and accurate missile can intercept high speed, highly maneuvering targets and can pull High level maneuvers. The kill boundary of this vehicle gives the enemy no chance of survival. This is one of its class with a low all up weight to have high launch range capability, this weapon system is meant for platforms like SU 30MKI, Mirage 2000 of Indian Air force and LCA developed by DRDO.
Salient Features

• Airborne Launcher adaptable to Different Fighter Aircrafts
• Smokeless Propulsion
• Inertial Mid-Course & Terminal Homing
• State-of-art ECCM features
• All weather capability
• Launch Speed 0.4M to 2M
• Launch Altitude SL to 20Km
• Launch Range 80Km

PJ-10

BrahMos is a Supersonic Cruise Missile System developed by DRDL with foreign collaboration. DRDO's share of the work is being executed under the Programme PJ10.

Salient Features

• Integral Booster & High Performance Ramjet System​
• Fuel based Actuation System
• Nose Cap Control Thrusters
• Inertial Navigation System
• Active Radar Seeker

HELINA (Helicoptor launched Anti tank Missile)

A variant of NAG Missile to be launched from Helicopter is being developed under the Project named HELINA. The missile will have a range of 7 Km with all other features similar to NAG Missile system



HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle)

Mission
Project HSTDV is a technology demonstrator aimed to demonstrate autonomous Flight of a Scramjet Integrated Vehicle using kerosene. The related technologies are new not only for India but for the entire aerospace community in the world and have potential applications in the areas of civil, military and space sectors.
A demonstrator flight vehicle has been conceptualise to demonstrate the Scramjet technology for a short duration of about 20 seconds.

• Mach No 6.5
• Altitude 32.5 KM
• Flight duration of cruise vehicle 20 seconds

 

[niteshkjain]

Some more info about missiles

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/16/stories/2008071655651400.htm

Air Force places orders for Akash missile production

CHENNAI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed orders for the production of Akash, a surface-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The orders have been placed in the wake of a 10-day successful drill in December 2007 that involved the launch of several Akash missiles by its user, the IAF, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea, Orissa.

Prahlada, Chief Controller, R&D, DRDO, said the IAF placed “initial orders for some squadrons” of the Akash missile and that “the orders will continue.”

The orders would come in lots. Mr. Prahlada said he was happy over the development on two counts. First, this might pave the way for the Army to place orders for Akash. Second, during field and user trials, the performance of the Akash missile was comparable to the best in the surface-to-air missile class in the world. The missile demonstrated its consistency, accuracy and easy operability.

In user trials last December, “a real C4I (that is, command, control, communication, computer and intelligence) was integrated in the Akash and demonstrated in field conditions,” Mr. Prahlada said. It was a totally automated operation too.

“The Akash is an anti-aircraft missile with a launch weight of 720 kg, a length of 5.8 metres and a diameter of 35 cm. It can reach aircraft flying 25 km away. It uses solid propellants as fuel. It can handle multiple targets by means of a digitally coded command and guidance system.”

The DRDO would conduct trials of Nag, an anti-tank missile, in August 2008.

Astra launch
“Things are moving” for the launch of India’s Astra, an air-to-air missile developed by the DRDO, Mr. Prahlada said. Astra had already been launched three times. The launches were, however, in the surface-to-air mode. The coming launch for the fourth time would also be in the surface-to-air mode.

“The Astra has a smokeless propulsion system. It is 3.5 metres long and weighs 154 kg. It has a launch speed of 0.4 Mach to 2 Mach. One Mach equals the speed of sound. When the air-to-air version is developed, the Astra can be launched from Su 30 MKI (Mark India), Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas,” he said.

 

[niteshkjain]

Anti missiles systems: shoot to kill

Article on PAD and AAD in Aviation Week magazine: page 40 to 44

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aw/dti0708/

 

[niteshkjain]

Hope the trials go successful

http://www.ptinews.com/pti\ptisite.nsf/0/E60E81EBC629233B6525748C001E5F76?OpenDocument

Nag anti-tank missile to undergo climax trials next week




New Delhi, July 20 (PTI) After a string of successful missile tests, India will undertake the climax trials of its indigenous third generation anti-tank missile 'Nag' next week.
The 'fire and forget' anti-tank missile, named after the King of snakes, Cobra, would undergo its final baptism trials for two days next week in the Pokhran desert, almost 22 years after it was first conceived, DRDO officials said.

Seven missiles would be fired against static and moving targets for 48 hours starting July 27 to test the land version of the weapon, which its makers the DRDO, claim can defeat any futuristic battle tank over a range of four kms.

"User trials by the army would come close on the heels of the Pokhran trials," officials told PTI exuding confidence that the country's first ever such weapon would be inducted in large numbers by November-December this year.

Army needs these missiles in large numbers which is evident by acquisition of 4,000 Anti-Tank Guided Missiles recently from Russia and France.

Now the forces are about to float new tenders to induct another 4,000 such missiles and DRDO expects the indigenous Nag to be on top of the contention.

Nag, is the last of the five missile systems successfully developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

The other four Surface-to-Surface Prithvi and Agni series of missiles as well as Surface-to-Air Akash are in the process of induction. About Trishul multi-mission missile, DRDO says development trials are already over. PTI

 

[niteshkjain]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...rceptor_missile_again/articleshow/3276385.cms

India to test 'interceptor' missile again
25 Jul 2008, 0000 hrs IST, Rajat Pandit,TNN

India will take another step towards developing a ballistic missile defence (BMD) system in the next few days when it tests an "interceptor" missile against an "incoming enemy" missile over the Bay of Bengal.

The fledgling two-tier BMD system being developed by DRDO, capable of tracking and destroying hostile missiles both inside (endo) and outside (exo) the earth's atmosphere, has already been tested two times.

The impending third test from the Wheeler Island off Orissa's coast will be that of an "exo-atmospheric" hypersonic interceptor missile, which will take on "a longer range enemy" missile, in the 2,000-km class, at an altitude of around 80-km this time.

The first test of the BMD system was in November 2006 when an "exo-atmospheric" hypersonic interceptor missile successfully destroyed an incoming Prithvi missile at an altitude of around 40-50 km, demonstrating a capability akin to the Israeli Arrow-2 BMD system. The second time, in December 2007, an 'endo-atmospheric' interceptor successfully took on the 'enemy' missile at a 15-km altitude, on the lines of the American Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) system.

After the third test, DRDO plans to test both the "exo" and "endo" interceptor missiles together in an integrated mode by September-October. In Phase-I, a BMD system capable of taking on "2,000-km class targets" is being developed. Phase-II, in turn, will be geared towards tackling threats from missiles up to 5,000-km, said sources.

DRDO chief controller for missiles, V K Saraswat, had earlier told TOI that the BMD system of Phase-I should be ready for deployment by 2011 or so, after several tests against a variety of missiles to ensure "a kill probability of 99.8%".

When and if, this happens India will gate-crash into a very exclusive club of only countries like US, Russia and Israel. BMD capabilities, however, are incredibly complex and expensive, with an incoming missile's high trajectory, speed and range leaving little room for error.

"It's like stopping a bullet by hitting it with another bullet. Even the US is still to master it completely," said a scientist.

Consequently, there have been some Israeli and French imprints in the ongoing development of India's BMD system. The crucial long-range tracking radars (LRTRs) used to detect and track the 'enemy' missile as well as guide the interceptor to it, for instance, can be traced to the two Israeli Green Pine early-warning and fire control radars imported by India in 2001-2002.

Similarly, some guidance and other technologies like IIR (imaging infra-red) seekers will require international collaboration in Phase-II. "Other technologies to be developed include divert and attitude control systems, hypersonic aerodynamics, kill vehicle and the like," said a source.

With both China and Pakistan fielding a wide variety of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, BMD capabilities for India are a crucial necessity. At the same time, it must be remembered that a BMD system can be overwhelmed by a flurry of ballistic missiles. Moreover, it's quite vulnerable to cruise missiles since they evade enemy radars by flying at low altitudes, virtually hugging the terrain.

[email protected]

 

[niteshkjain]

Another report for the same

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal...o-again-test-interceptor-rocket_10075331.html

By Ritu Sharma
New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) In a significant step towards developing a missile defence shield, India will for the second time test-fire a missile to intercept an incoming target in the exo-atmosphere - above 40 km altitude - in the next few days. The first test of the interceptor missile was conducted in 2006.

On December 6 last year, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had for the second time successfully tested an endo-atmospheric - below 30 km altitude - version of the ballistic missile defence shield.

“This time the interceptor missile, which carries a warhead weighing up to 25 km, will be tested to target a missile in the exo-atmosphere over a longer range,” a senior DRDO official told IANS. The official declined to be named.

Aiming to protect populated areas and vital installations like nuclear power stations and oil wells, the DRDO will be testing the missile shield both in the endo-atmosphere and exo-atmosphere in November.

The missile shield will have highly sensitive radars to track incoming missiles and an interceptor that can destroy it. The guidance system in the shield would ensure that the two missiles collide within a matter of seconds, thereby saving vital targets from destruction.

Baptised as the Prithvi Air Defence system, the agile interceptor has now been renamed as Pradyumna.

DRDO needs to carry out at least three to four trials with both versions before the missile shield ready for operational use.

“The test is likely to be conducted Chandipur off the Orissa coast. Phase I of this programme is slated to be completed by 2009, while it is to secure operational clearance by 2012-13,” the official said.

DRDO says its missile system is comprable to the Israeli Arrow system and the American Patriot system, both of whose manufacturers are courting the Indian defence establishment for likely orders.

DRDO expects ballistic missile shield to take care of threats from existing Chinese and Pakistani missiles. While Pakistan possesses missiles with ranges between 400 and 2,000 km, the Chinese arsenal varies from a range of 300 km to 2,800 km.

The Indian interceptor can carry a warhead weighing up to 25 kg. so no hit to kill vehicle?

 

[Aliph Ahmed]

^^^

Just wondering :

How will this so called ABM perform against 2-3 waves of 5-10 missiles each fired with 5 minute interval followed after a HARM strike.

How many interceptors will be available to be fired in one go ? How much time does it take for reload ? How good will alternate plans if some Indian radars are destroyed by HARM strikes, will they take over the duties of destroyed radars ? and most importantly, how quick reactioned they will be ? When will it be inducted and operational ?

** I used will since it is not inducted as of today and is in testing phase **

 

[gf0012-aust]

^^^

Just wondering :

How will this so called ABM perform against 2-3 waves of 5-10 missiles each fired with 5 minute interval followed after a HARM strike.

How many interceptors will be available to be fired in one go ? How much time does it take for reload ? How good will alternate plans if some Indian radars are destroyed by HARM strikes, will they take over the duties of destroyed radars ? and most importantly, how quick reactioned they will be ? When will it be inducted and operational ?

** I used will since it is not inducted as of today and is in testing phase **

Can you not travel this path of baiting? I'm sure you would be just as offended if the boot was on the other foot and you were a Pakistani with an Indian stalker throwing in "theoreticals".

It's pretty apparent that reload rates, interception rates, sweeps, durations of sweep, concurrent processing capability etc is not going to be and will not ever be on the internet. Those who would know would not being spraying it about on a public forum, those who profess to know are taking liberties and using public information (and as we all know, short of empirical dimensional measurements, functional/operational system specs are always embargoed.)

These types of responses become tiresome as we all know what they're designed to achieve.

Drop your current line of engagement and work out how you want to continue to participate in here.

I do not expect any of the Indian posters to respond to this kind of discussion as it will achieve little purpose except to add more oxygen to the flame. I also do not expect anyone to make any pithy comments in return.

 

[niteshkjain]

Guys this is good news, hope the things go good and NAG can get inducted.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/06/stories/2008080651801400.htm

Nag missile testfired
It achieved the maximum range and was bang on target

HYDERABAD: The third generation hit-to-kill anti-tank missile, Nag, was successfully testfired at Pokhran in Rajasthan on Tuesday. The advanced weapon system damaged the target, a stationary tank four km away.

Talking to The Hindu from the launch site, Nag’s project director S.S. Mishra said the missile achieved the maximum range and was bang on target. “We got the bull’s eye,” he said after the missile was launched around 1.20 pm. The test-firing was preceded in the last few days by pre-launch transportation trials in the desert terrain “with full combat load.”

Director, Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), P. Venugopalan said all the mission objectives were met during the testfiring he described as the “last developmental trial.” He said the changes wanted by the user were incorporated in the missile which could be operated both during the day and night. He said the user trial would be conducted in a couple of months.

S.K. Chaudhuri, associate director, Research Centre Imarat (a key laboratory of the DRDO’s missile complex) and chairman of the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) for the trial, said the missile proved the capability for “highest technology in seeker and control guidance system.” Equipped with Imaging Infrared Seeker and lock-on-after-launch capability, and carrying a real warhead, it was fired from Namica, a dedicated missile carrier.

Within 21 seconds of its launch, it homed in on the target and with the help of a “precursor charge” created a huge hole on the tank, demonstrating its “top attack” capability. Soon after the precursor charge made a hole, the main warhead zoomed into the tank and exploded, causing damage to the derelict vehicle.

The indigenously-developed Nag is a two-stage solid propellant missile and each Namica carries 12 missiles with eight of them in ready-to-fire mode.

 

[niteshkjain]

50 missiles a year now quite good leap in production

http://en.rian.ru/world/20080805/115775137.html

Indian army orders additional BrahMos cruise missiles

NEW DELHI, August 5 (RIA Novosti) - The Indian army has ordered an additional batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from the Russian-Indian BrahMos Aerospace joint venture, the company's CEO said Tuesday.

"The army leadership realizes that weaponry such as the BrahMos missiles will ensure victory to the country which posses it in any conflict," Sivathanu Pillai, who is also the managing director of BrahMos Aerospace, said without disclosing the exact size of the order.

The BrahMos missile has a range of 290 km (180 miles) and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg (660 pounds). It can hit ground targets flying at an altitude as low as 10 meters (30 feet) and has a top speed of Mach 2.8, which is about three times faster than the U.S.-made subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile.

Pillai said the recent acquisition of an assembly plant in the state of Kerala from Kerala Hightech Industries Ltd in addition to the main plant in Hyderabad, would allow the company to increase production to 50 BrahMos missiles a year and fulfill the army orders on schedule.

Established in 1998, BrahMos Aerospace designs, produces and markets supersonic missiles, whose sea-based and land-based versions have been successfully tested and put into service with the Indian army and navy.

Pillai said in June that the company had finished the development of the airborne version of the BrahMos missile and the Indian air force had chosen SU-30 MKI Flanker-H multirole fighter as a trial platform for the missile.

 

[niteshkjain]

Guys check this, this says about IIR seeker tested and verified




Nag anti-Tank Missile demonstrated to Indian Army

 

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news here ,the namica has successfully undergone its floatation tests,namica stands for nag missile carrier.

here is the link and the article:

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/08/stories/2008080856751400.htm

Namica amphibious trial successful








HYDERABAD: Close on the heels of test-firing of the anti-tank Nag missile on stationary and moving targets, DRDO scientists successfully completed an “amphibious trial” of Namica, dedicated carrier of the weapon system, in the Indira Gandhi canal at Nachna in Rajasthan on Thursday.
“This was the first time that such a trial had been carried out,” Nag project director, S.S. Mishra told The Hindu. The carrier, weighing 14.5 tonnes, was in full combat load with eight missiles in the turret and it crossed the canal by demonstrating its “mobility in water.”
In a war scenario, Namica would be required to not only stay afloat but also negotiate and overcome obstacles while moving at seven km an hour, he said.