The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have successfully carried the maiden salvo launch of Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) from the Navy’s helicopter platform off the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha.
During the trial, two missiles were launched in quick succession from the same helicopter, making it the first salvo launch of an advanced air-launched anti-ship missile system.
As per the data captured using various range tracking instruments like radar, electro-optical system and telemetry deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, all the objectives of the test were fully met.
Along with proving the salvo launch capability, the missiles also demonstrated the waterline hit capability, the defence ministry said in a statement.
The NASM-SR missile uses a solid propulsion booster and long-burn sustainer.
"All critical subsystems like the seeker, integrated avionics module, advanced navigation and guidance using fibre-optic gyroscope-based Inertial Navigation System & radio-altimeter along with advanced control & guidance algorithm, high-bandwidth two-way data link and Jet-vane control developed indigenously by different laboratories of DRDO and Indian Industries," the defence ministry release stated.
The missile system has been developed by Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories—Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad; High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune; Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh & ITR Chandipur.
The missiles are currently being produced under the Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) model, with help from other domestic industries and start-ups.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the DRDO, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and the industry, including the DcPP partners, for the successful maiden salvo launch. The development of this missile will further enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces to a great extent, he said.
