On the drive to equip warships with the advanced generation of the short-range surface to air missile, India demonstrated the successful launch of VL-SRSAM twice, Monday.
Intending to achieve a faster evaluation of newly developed missiles during tests, Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested the missile back to back from a static installed vertical launcher from Integrated Testing Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of the Indian State of Odisha.
VL-SRSAM, the Vertical Launched Short Range Surface to Air Missile, is designed and developed by India’s Defense Laboratory DRDO. The missile will replace the aging Barak-1, procured from Israel, which are in service with Indian navy warships as Point Defense missile for quick reactive and short-range target interception. VL-SRSAM will exceed Barak-1 in overall feature enhanced capabilities, including neutralizing various aerial threats at close range, especially sea-skimming hostile targets.
The maiden launches were part of developmental trials and were carried out to demonstrate vertical launch capabilities since the missiles will be fitted into Vertical Launch System (VLS) canister tubes on warships. Back to back, both tests were observed at the maximum range and minimum range of the missile’s operational functionality during the precision interception of targets.
Both tests were monitored by principal scientists and project teams by DRDO, as well as other factored laboratories responsible for assisting in the project development and engineering like DRDL (Defense Research and Development Laboratory), R (Research Centre Imarat), Hyderabad and R&D Engineers from Pune.
During the flight evaluation of both missiles, performance like flight path, target approach, maneuverability and terminal interception of simulating targets were observed through various onsite present instruments like Radar, EOTS and telemetry systems, which were deployed on the testing site. Missiles were installed with Weapon Control System (WCS), according to DRDO Officials.
The successful tests were that first time the two tests of the same missile carried out with 100% probability hit, proving the effectiveness of the weapon system. A few more trials will be conducted before clearing the system for official service with the Indian Navy.
VL-SRSAM is a quick and reactive surface to air missile with a range of a maximum of 50 km and is powered by a smokeless solid propellant rocket motor with the ability to launch at both LOBL and LOAL mode.
The missile will feature an advanced guidance mechanism through Fiber optic gyroscope-based internal navigation system and active radar homing at the terminal stage. This system will complement longer ranged Barak-8 LRSAM on Indian Navy vessels, becoming an effective component of the layered defense shield for naval fleets operated by Indian naval forces.
