In what has been billed as a “force multiplier for the Indian Navy,” the flight-test of indigenously-developed Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) was successfully conducted by the Indian Navy and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
The flight-test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher against a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude, establishing the Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability of the missile system.
The target was completely destroyed by the missile, executing the high turn rate required for engaging targets at very close range, and establishing the missile’s agility, reliability and extreme accuracy.
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The test was conducted with all weapon system elements deployed in combat configuration, including missile with indigenous Radio Frequency seeker, Multi-Function Radar and Weapon Control System.
The performance of the system was validated by the flight data captured by various Range Instruments developed by ITR Chandipur, the defence ministry said in a release.
Rajnath Singh hailed the successful flight-test, calling it a proof of India’s strong design and development capabilities in defence research and development.
DRDO chairman and secretary of Department of Defence Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy and associated teams and stated that the missile, equipped with modern technologies, will give further technological boost to the armed forces.