Close on the heels of the successful firing of a long-range surface-to-air-missile (LR-SAM), often referred to as Barak-8, from an Israel naval platform on Thursday, the missile jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will now be test-fired from India’s new class of stealth destroyers under
P15-A, INS Kolkata and INS Kochi.
Technicians from the DRDO, the IAI and BDL (Bharat Dynamics Limited which is producing the advanced missile) are configuring the sensors, especially the MFSTAR (multifunction surveillance and threat alert radar) active phased array radar, and ancillary systems
on board INS Kolkata to fire the missile from the ship in December.
This will be followed by another flight of the missile from INS Kochi some time in March-April next year, said sources.
DRDL director and programme director of LRSAM, K. Jayaraman told The Hindu that the vertically-launched missile met all parameters and successfully decimated its target, an oncoming pilotless target aircraft, during its test-flight on Wednesday. “Ship-borne sensors and support equipment were used to steer the flight and acquire target, which has proven that all safety standards have been met,” he said.
‘DRDO played
a key role’
The DRDO played a key role in the joint programme by designing and developing dual pulse propulsion for the vertically-launched missile’s solid propulsion system which enhanced its range nearly 1.5 times besides expanding its flight envelope and target engagement capability, said Mr. Jayaraman.
The project is headed by Patrick D’ Silva.
Navy keen to take delivery
Naval sources said the MFSTAR and related components aboard the 7,500 tonne Kolkata-class ships were being calibrated right now and that Indian Navy was keen to take delivery of the missile from BDL.
Meanwhile, plans were afoot to take the programme forward with the development of an extended range surface-to-air missile (ERSAM) which would greatly enhance its range form the present 70 km, they indicated.
It will be test-fired from new class of stealth destroyers INS Kolkata and INS Kochi
All set for long-range missile launch from ship - NATIONAL - The Hindu
Animation representation of Barak 8 LRSAM
Actual test from Israeli warship
Observe the incoming missile doing high g turns and then the intercept by Barak-8 LRSAM