Marking an important stage in missile development projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Navy conducted a successful maiden trial of its indigenously-developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile on May 18.
The test is also the first time that the Indian Navy has conducted a missile launch from a Naval Helicopter. The test was conducted at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. A video of the test was shared by the DRDO.
The test flight met all its objectives. It is the first indigenous air-launched anti-ship missile system for the Indian Navy and is a major step in diversifying the arsenal of the Indian Navy.
NASM-SR is a short-range missile meant to be lightweight, sleek, and easily configurable on platforms for quicker solutions, maritime helicopter or carrier-borne fighters are suitable delivery systems. The missile was designed with many new technologies, including an indigenously developed launcher for the helicopter. This system allows all airborne systems of the Indian Navy to be eligible for an Antiship role.
During the test, the missile followed all the set parameters with desired sea-skimming trajectory and reached the designated target with a critical degree of precision, and all-inclusive systems validated the control, guidance, and mission algorithms. All the sub-systems performed well and as expected. The sensors deployed across the test range and near the impact point tracked the missile trajectory and captured all the events. The test also successfully hit its market target at sea.
Further during the test, the missile validated its flight course travel under an indigenously built guidance system including a state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics. The flight test was witnessed by senior officers of DRDO and the Indian Navy, Ministry officials congratulated the entire team for the successful effort of the project.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, Indian Navy, and associated teams for the flight test. He said that with the test, India attained a high level of capability in the indigenous design and development of missile systems.
Additionally, Secretary of Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO Dr.G Satheesh Reddy hailed the efforts of the project team for successfully achieving the mission parameters. He praised the Indian Navy and Naval Flight Test Squadron for their involvement in the project and he further said that the system will strengthen the offensive capability of the Indian Navy.
Since the beginning of the year, the Indian Navy has been actively busy testing and designing modern weapons and platforms to expand their offensive and defensive ability on seas. Focused on Blue Water Navy goal, India is all gearing up for commissioning a variety of warships, vessels, aircraft, and weapons, etc.
