Laser missile developed for ‘Arjun’ tank
NEW DELHI, PTI:
Indian defence scientists have claimed to have achieved a breakthrough by developing a beyond-visual-range missile ‘Lahat’ for the country’s indigenous main battle tank Arjun.
The laser anti-homing Lahat missile is capable of being fired from the 120mm rifle gun of the tank which now gets a capability matching the just-acquired T-90 tanks, which sport a BVR missile of over 5 to 8 km engagement capability.
DRDO officials said that Lahat is a semi-active laser homing missile, which could be fired from the main gun of the tank similar to conventional rounds.
“This would significantly enhance the fighting capability of the MBT Arjun since its maximum effective range is 6 km as compared to the 2.5 km of conventional ammunition,” officials said.
They said the missile could be fired either in a lofted trajectory against armoured fighting vehicles and in flat trajectory against helicopters.
“The fire-control system of the tank would include laser designator to project a coded-laser beam on the target. Target designation can also be done by another tank or ground laser designator,” DRDO scientists said.
The DRDO said some of the newly-developed Lahat missiles had recently been test-fired from the main gun of the MBT Arjun in field trials to confirm the missile launch parameters such as sabot separation.
Officials said the penetration capability of the missile warhead was tested and “the results conform to the requirements”.
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