SOURCE: Categorical Information Service
In a significant milestone within the ongoing surface-to-air missile (SAM) programme, India efficiently performed the primary take a look at of ‘Akash-Subsequent Technology’ (Akash-NG) from a defence facility off Odisha coast on Monday.
Defence sources stated the missile was launched from a cell platform positioned on the Launching Advanced – III of the Built-in Check Vary at about 2.30 pm in opposition to an digital goal. A defence official from New Delhi stated that every one the mission aims had been met and the missile system had carried out as anticipated. “The mission was 100 per cent profitable because the missile intercepted the digital goal as simulated. The missile will considerably bolster India’s air defence system,” he stated.
The profitable maiden take a look at of surface-to-air Akash-NG assumed significance because it got here a couple of days after the Union Cupboard chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its go-ahead to the export of Akash missile programs to pleasant international locations.
Developed by DRDO, the weapon system can deal with a number of targets and destroy manoeuvring targets like cruise missiles, unmanned aerial autos and fighter plane.
Flying at a supersonic pace it’s able to killing each subsonic and supersonic targets. The brand new Akash system can defend an space of not less than 10 occasions higher in comparison with any short-range SAM and is able to participating as much as 10 targets close to concurrently.
Whereas the sooner variant of the missile has a most vary of 30 km and might journey as much as an altitude of 20 km, the Akash-NG can strike targets as much as 70 km away.
The 2-stage new technology missile has a cylindrical physique with 4 cropped delta fins at mid-body and 4 tail fins. Aside from the brand new propulsion system, it possesses indigenous lively RF seeker, laser proximity fuse, electro-mechanical actuation and pre-fragmented warhead.
The brand new system comes with an Lively Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-function radar that options all three features – search, observe and hearth management in a single platform. The sooner model, which is in service, is guided by a phased array hearth management radar, stated the defence official.
Akash is India’s first indigenously designed, developed and produced air defence system able to participating aerial threats. It’s the most cost-effective floor to air missile ever produced on the planet with supersonic powered intercept.
With a command steerage system and a number of targets dealing with options, automated air defence operations, Akash stands out distinctive amongst the out there quick /medium vary SAMs.
The event of the Akash-NG was permitted in September 2016 with the funding assist of round ?500 crore.
