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India joins Ballistic Missile Defence Club

Some info on Astra, old but at least some info about it

Astra AAM

The Astra is described as a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile, which uses a terminal active radar-seeker to find targets and a mid-course internal guidance system with updates, to track targets. The on-board ECCM capability allows it to jam radar signals from an enemy surface-to-air battery, ensuring that the missile is not tracked or shot down. This indigenous missile is intended to have performance characteristics similar to the R-77RVV-AE (AA-12), which currently forms part of the IAF's missile armoury. The missile is designed to be used on all fixed-wing combat aircraft in service with the IAF and also with the future Light Combat Aircraft. The Mirage 2000H has been designated as the first potential platform for the Astra when the weapon enters service at the end of this decade.

The missile is 3.8 metres long and is said to be configured like a longer version of the Super 530D, narrower in front of the wings. Astra uses a HTPB solid-fuel propellant and a 15 kg HE (high-explosive) warhead, activated by a proximity fuse. The missile has a maximum speed of Mach 4+ and a maximum altitude of 20 km. The missile can reportedly undertake 40 g turns close to sea level, when attacking a manoeuvring target. Although designed to use a locally-developed solid fuel propellant, DRDO is also looking at rocket/ramjet propulsion to provide greater range and enhanced kinematic performance. On 25 July 2001 in Parliament, then-incumbent Defence Minister Jaswant Singh said that a feasibility study for the Astra has commenced, after the completion of which a project for development of the Astra is planned to be undertaken. Development of this missile is likely to take about seven to eight years. Unconfirmed reports state that a first flight is expected sometime in 2003.

Robert Hewson, editor of Jane's Air Launched Weapons, in a March 2003 issue of Jane's Defence Weekly stated, "The basic Astra design uses a metallic airframe with a long low aspect-ratio wing and a single-stage smokeless rocket motor. After launch, the missile will use a combination of inertial mid-course guidance and/or data-linked targeting updates before it enters its terminal acquisition phase. In a head-on engagement, the Astra will have a maximum range of 80 km. The missile's onboard radio-frequency seeker has been largely designed in India but incorporates a degree of outside assistance, according to DRDO sources. It will have an autonomous homing range of 15 km. The missile's warhead is a pre-fragmented directional unit, fitted with a proximity fuze. A radar fuze already exists for the Astra, but the DRDO is currently working on a new laser fuze. According to the DRDO, the first ground-launched aerodynamic trials of the Astra will begin within the first half of this year. This will be followed by the next phase of controlled in-flight test launches."
 
hey guys,check out this interesting link ,it contains information on some of the indian missile projects.

these projects include the nag anti tank missile,the helina missile( helicopter launched nag missile),the astra beyond visual range air to air missile,the brahmos supersonic land attack cruise missile, and the hstdv hypersonic re-usable missile.

here is the link:

DRDL::Areas Of Work

AKASH http://www.drdo.com/labs/drdl/images/aakash.jpgThe supersonic surface to air missile ‘AKASH’ has a range of about 25Km and carries fragmentation warhead which is triggered by radio proximity fuse. The missile uses state-of-technology integral ramjet rocket propulsion system and the onboard digital autopilot ensures stability and maneuvers. The multi function phased array radar tracks the targets and guides missiles towards them. The weapon system has a network of radar sensors to effectively manage the air threats.
Salient Features
Multidirectional, Multitarget Engagement
Fully automated operation
Targets – Fighter A/C, UAV, Helicopter, Cruise Missile
All Terrain mobility
All weather operation
Advanced ECCM
Custom configured to meet user requirements
NAG (Third Generation Anti-Tank Missile) http://www.drdo.com/labs/drdl/images/nag.jpgThird generation Anti-Tank Missile System ‘NAG’ has “fire and forget” and “top attack” capabilities. The Lock-on-before Launch Imaging Infra Red (IIR) homing provides capability for Day & Night operation. The Missile excels as a formidable support weapon for the Mechanised Infantry and Attack Helicopter formations.The Imaging Infra Red homing seeker has all-weather day and night capability.
The Nag system is for deployment on “NAMICA”, A tracked vehicle and on a Helicopter. Top attack mode using the advanced homing guidance system and tandem shaped charge warhead is used to defeat heaviest armour. In addition, high energy, smokeless propellant, light weight, high strength composite airframe with foldable wings and fins, onboard real-time processor with fast and efficient algorithms, compact sensor package and electric actuation system, digital autopilot and high immunity to counter measures make this missile a state-of-art Anti-Tank Guided Missile System.
Salient Features
RANGE-4.0Km
Fire & Force capability in lock-on-before-launch mode
“Day & Night operation (imaging infrared seeker)
‘Top-Attack’ capability
High SSKP (Single Shot Kill Probability
Capability to defeat future tic tanks & other hard target
NAMICAhttp://www.drdo.com/labs/drdl/images/NIMCA.jpgSalient Features
8 Nos. Ready-to-fire missiles on the turret
Option for additional 4 missiles in storage
4 missiles can be fired in 1 minute
Mobility matching BMF-11
ASTRA http://www.drdo.com/labs/drdl/images/astra1.jpgASTRA is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air to air missile indigenously designed and developed to engage and destroy highly maneuvering supersonic aerial targets. This highly agile and accurate missile can intercept high speed, highly maneuvering targets and can pull High level maneuvers. The kill boundary of this vehicle gives the enemy no chance of survival. This is one of its class with a low all up weight to have high launch range capability, this weapon system is meant for platforms like SU 30MKI, Mirage 2000 of Indian Air force and LCA developed by DRDO.
Salient Features
Airborne Launcher adaptable to Different Fighter Aircrafts
Smokeless Propulsion
Inertial Mid-Course & Terminal Homing
State-of-art ECCM features
All weather capability
Launch Speed 0.4M to 2M
Launch Altitude SL to 20Km
Launch Range 80Km
PJ-10
http://www.drdo.com/labs/drdl/images/pj-10.jpgBrahMos is a Supersonic Cruise Missile System developed by DRDL with foreign collaboration. DRDO's share of the work is being executed under the Programme PJ10.

Salient Features
Integral Booster & High Performance Ramjet System
Fuel based Actuation System
Nose Cap Control Thrusters
Inertial Navigation System
Active Radar Seeker
HELINA (Helicoptor launched Anti tank Missile)
http://www.drdo.com/labs/drdl/images/helina.jpgA variant of NAG Missile to be launched from Helicopter is being developed under the Project named HELINA. The missile will have a range of 7 Km with all other features similar to NAG Missile system



HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle)http://www.drdo.com/labs/drdl/images/hstdv.jpg Mission
Project HSTDV is a technology demonstrator aimed to demonstrate autonomous Flight of a Scramjet Integrated Vehicle using kerosene. The related technologies are new not only for India but for the entire aerospace community in the world and have potential applications in the areas of civil, military and space sectors.
A demonstrator flight vehicle has been conceptualise to demonstrate the Scramjet technology for a short duration of about 20 seconds.
Mach No 6.5
Altitude 32.5 KM
Flight duration of cruise vehicle 20 seconds
 
Interesting info.
HELINA is something new. Never heard of it before.

Eagerly waiting for the test fire of ASTRA.
 
A Complete News Magazine on National Security

IAF orders extended-range Barak-2 for nine air defence squadrons


By Prasun K. Sengupta


It is all systems go when it comes to the joint development of the 70km-range variant of the Mach 4 Barak-2 vertically-launched long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM), now being co-developed by a consortium of entities comprising India’s Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) on one hand, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. The LR-SAM’s critical design review was completed by early May and its two-stage pulsed rocket motor was successfully test-fired earlier this year. The first six sets of these rocket motors were late last month shipped to RAFAEL for further test and integration activities, which will, by early 2009, lead to the commencement of a series of test-flights of the LR-SAM. Series production is due to begin in 2011 at BDL’s Hyderabad-based facilities, with the launch customer of this LR-SAM being the Indian Navy (IN). Current plans call for the IN to install 64 of these LR-SAMs on board each of its three Project 15A Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyers (DDG) now being fitted out at Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Ltd, as well as on board each of its three planned Project 17A guided-missile frigates and the three projected Project 15B DDGs. The vertical launch cells for Barak-2 are now being developed by Mumbai-based Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

The Barak-2 LR-SAM, also known as Barak-8 within Israel, will make use of a novel nose-mounted dual guidance system: an active phased-array radar for guidance over the final 30km terminal phase of its flight; and a miniaturised, gimbal-mounted imaging infra-red seeker using an indium antimonide staring focal plane array operating in the 3 to 5 micron wavelength band. During the initial fly-out phase of flight, the Barak-2/LR-SAM’s seeker window will remain covered with a two-piece clamshell protection shroud. Metal bladders installed in the shroud will be inflated to eject the protective shroud before the combined seekers initiate target acquisition. During its boost- and mid-course guidance phases, the LR-SAM will use an integral data link to receive guidance cues from the shipborne EL/M-2248 MF-STAR S-band solid-state active phased-array radar developed by the ELTA Systems subsidiary of IAI. The Barak-2 will also have a 60kg pre-fragmented warhead that in turn will use a laser-based digital proximity fuze.

The Rs 26.06 billion (USD 566 million) deal to co-develop the Barak-2 was inked in New Delhi on 27 January 2006 following 17 months of exhaustive negotiations. For extended long-range air defence India’s Cabinet Committee on National Security on July 12 last year approved a USD 2.47 billion project to co-develop along with Israel a new-generation, 120km-range variant of the Barak-2 over the next four years. Launch customer of this LR-SAM will be the Indian Air Force (IAF), with the IN opting for this missile for installation on board its first Integrated Aircraft Carrier that is now being fabricated at Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The IAF has already committed itself to procuring an initial batch of the extended-range Barak-2 for nine air defence squadrons. From the Indian side, the principal R&D players for this variant of the Barak-2 are the DRDL, Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), and the Bangalore-based Electronics R&D Establishment (LRDE).

Israeli companies participating in the joint venture are RAFAEL and the MLM and ELTA Systems business divisions of IAI. While RAFAEL will be responsible for developing the guided-missiles along with the DRDL and ASL, IAI will co-develop along with the LRDE and BEL the command-and-control system and related fire-control system (for both variants of the Barak-2) centered around the 250km-range EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar. Weighing about seven tonnes, the MF-STAR uses four flat, lightweight antenna arrays. For weapons guidance, the MF-STAR supports different operating modes, including mid-course guidance for active air defence missiles and illumination enslavement for semi-active air defence missiles, thus making dedicated guidance radar systems redundant. The radar also incorporates an automatic splash detection and measurement mode to support naval gunnery in maritime security and close-in defence roles.
 
Nag anti-tank missile back in reckoning-India-The Times of India

Nag anti-tank missile back in reckoning
12 Jul 2008, 0356 hrs IST, Rajat Pandit,TNN

NEW DELHI: Eighteen years after it was first tested, the meandering saga of the indigenous Nag anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) is finally entering the climax phase after an expenditure of over Rs 300 crore.

Or so it seems, with Defence Research and Development Organisation planning the "final developmental flight trials" of Nag at Pokhran on July 27-28, which will be followed by the "user-trials" in mid-September, say sources.

Having placed an order for 443 Nag missiles and 13 Namicas (Nag missile tracked carriers) for induction over three years, the Army is keeping its fingers firmly crossed.

The urgent need for ATGMs can be gauged from the fact that after ordering 4,000 Konkurs-M missiles, the Army is now looking for 4,100 "advanced" ATGMs with tandem warheads for "better kill probability" of enemy tanks.

The Army, in fact, has agreed to reframe its GSQRs (general staff qualitative requirements) for the 4,100 new missiles - by reducing its "essential" strike range from 2,000 metres to 1,850 metres - to enable defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) to participate in the programme.

BDL, incidentally, manufactures variants of the second-generation 2-km-range "Milan" and 4-km-range "Konkurs" ATGMs, under licence from French and Russian companies, at around Rs 4.50 lakh per unit.

The third-generation Nag missile, with a four-km strike range, will also be manufactured by BDL. But there is many a slip between the cup and the lip.

Over 60 developmental trials of Nag have been conducted over the years but recurring problems in the guidance systems, especially in the "imaging infra-red (IIR) sensor-based seeker", has meant the missile is still to become fully operational. DRDO, however, is quite confident now, holding that Nag will be among the world's most advanced ATGMs, better than other contemporary missiles like Israeli 2.5-km Gill and four-km Spike missiles.

"The Army has already accepted the Nag, which has fire-and-forget, day-and-night and top-attack (the missile pops up and hits the tank's vulnerable upper portion like the gun-turret) capabilities," said a DRDO official. "There have been delays due to import embargoes, problems in development of the IIR seeker, change in NAMICA configurations and the like. But Nag, which also has high immunity to counter-measures, is fully-ready now," he added.

Apart from the NAMICA platform, that can carry 12 missiles, Nag will also have an airborne version named "Helina" to be fitted on the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, which will be configured to carry eight missiles in two launchers.

Incidentally, Nag was one of the "core missile systems" of the country's original Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), launched as far back as in 1983. Announcing the IGMDP's "virtual closure" earlier this year, DRDO declared that development work on all other missiles - Agni, Prithvi, Akash and Trishul - had been completed.

Though work on "strategic" long-range nuclear-capable missiles like Agni-III (3,500-km range) and Agni-V (over 5,000-km) will still be "undertaken in-house", India will also look at foreign collaboration in other armament projects to cut down on delays.
 
Hey that's good news:

http://www.livemint.com/2008/07/13235819/Reliance-looks-to-NAL-to-make.html

Bangalore: Reliance Industries Ltd plans to source locally developed technology from state-owned National Aerospace Laboratories, or NAL, to make carbon fibre, a scarce, steel-like material used in building light aircraft.
India’s largest private sector company by sales would make the carbon fibre at a 4,000-tonne plant in Vadodara, Gujarat, using technology developed at NAL, an arm of India’s biggest public research agency, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, people familiar with the development said.
The people, who did not want to be named, would not disclose investment details because an agreement for technology transfer is yet to be signed. Questions sent to Reliance spokeswoman Sharmili Vashani on Thursday had not been answered until late Sunday.
Carbon fibre, produced from polymers, is used to make composites that are as strong as steel, but nearly half its weight. These composites have a longer lifetime and are less prone to corrosion, and are used in products ranging from Formula One cars to pipes that carry petroleum products. It is also used in the manufacture of fighter planes, rockets and missiles.
Restrictions exist on the import of the material. A global scarcity of carbon fibre and composites has resulted partly because of increased consumption by the world’s two largest passenger-plane makers, Boeing Co. and Airbus SAS, which use the lightweight material to build lighter and more fuel-efficient planes.
Boeing has replaced aluminium alloy with carbon composites in half the structures used to build the B787 plane, compared to just 11% in older planes, Alan G. Miller, director of technology integration of the 787 for Boeing, said at an aerospace conference in Bangalore.
“Some of the shortage is a timing question. There are plans worldwide to increase plant capacity,” Miller said on the sidelines of the conference last month.
The aerospace market’s consumption of carbon fibre composites was estimated to be 7,260 tonnes in 2007 and is expected to grow fivefold to 35,800 tonnes by 2010, according to researcher Frost and Sullivan.
“Composites have considerable potential in commercial aviation sectors with the largest end-users in this segment being business, light and very light aircraft,” Frost research analyst Balaji Srimoolanathan said in the report.
Already in Vadodara, Kemrock Industries and Exports Ltd, an export-focused unit that makes fibre-reinforced plastic composites, is building a 400-tonne carbon fibre plant to open in August 2009, the first big unit in the country.
The Rs200 crore plant also will make the composites using technology from NAL, and initially focus on composites for windmill blades and cars, which are less rigorous to make than the more complex aviation-grade carbon fibre.
Carbon fibre sells for between Rs800 and Rs1,200 per kg, whereas the most common fibre, reinforced plastic composites, sells for Rs180-200.
“Import availability is restricted. So, the demand (for composites) is not coming,” said Mahendra R. Patel, chief executive officer of Kemrock. “If it is available (locally), applications also will expand.”
India’s public-funded aerospace companies such as NAL, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), use composites extensively in rockets, the Tejas light combat aircraft, Dhruv advanced light helicopter and Saras multi-role passenger plane.
The Tejas fighter has around 70% of composites for its weight, as against 30% for the F-22 Raptor and around 50% in the Joint Strike Fighter of the US. Tejas is the only fighter that uses composites in the centre fuselage. The lightweight composites in its workhorse rockets allow Isro to launch heavier satellites into orbit.

Russia, among the world leaders in fighter planes, has involved India to build composites for better stealth features in the so-called fifth generation fighters being built by Sukhoi design bureau.
Indian aerospace institutions have earned a reputation for mastering the carbon composite technology for aerospace applications, but India currently produces only 20 tonnes at a NAL unit in Bangalore.
The bulk of the demand for the material in India, estimated to be around 1,200 tonnes a year, is met with imports from Japan and France, but the supplies have been irregular in recent times.
In April 2007, Japan’s Toray Industries Inc., the world’s largest producer of carbon fibre, stopped supply of the material after India tested its nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni 3, with the capability to strike China. Toray cited concerns over potential “dual use” in both civil and military applications.
Local production of carbon composites by Kemrock and subsequently by Reliance would reduce dependence on imports over the next few years, when production begins largely for Saras and a five-seater passenger plane designed jointly by NAL and Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd.
“In three years, we should be able to have a good industrial base for these materials,” NAL director A.R. Upadhya predicted in June.
 
The Hindu : National : Air Force places orders for Akash missile production

Air Force places orders for Akash missile production

CHENNAI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed orders for the production of Akash, a surface-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The orders have been placed in the wake of a 10-day successful drill in December 2007 that involved the launch of several Akash missiles by its user, the IAF, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea, Orissa.

Prahlada, Chief Controller, R&D, DRDO, said the IAF placed “initial orders for some squadrons” of the Akash missile and that “the orders will continue.”

The orders would come in lots. Mr. Prahlada said he was happy over the development on two counts. First, this might pave the way for the Army to place orders for Akash. Second, during field and user trials, the performance of the Akash missile was comparable to the best in the surface-to-air missile class in the world. The missile demonstrated its consistency, accuracy and easy operability.

In user trials last December, “a real C4I (that is, command, control, communication, computer and intelligence) was integrated in the Akash and demonstrated in field conditions,” Mr. Prahlada said. It was a totally automated operation too.

“The Akash is an anti-aircraft missile with a launch weight of 720 kg, a length of 5.8 metres and a diameter of 35 cm. It can reach aircraft flying 25 km away. It uses solid propellants as fuel. It can handle multiple targets by means of a digitally coded command and guidance system.”

The DRDO would conduct trials of Nag, an anti-tank missile, in August 2008.

Astra launch
“Things are moving” for the launch of India’s Astra, an air-to-air missile developed by the DRDO, Mr. Prahlada said. Astra had already been launched three times. The launches were, however, in the surface-to-air mode. The coming launch for the fourth time would also be in the surface-to-air mode.

“The Astra has a smokeless propulsion system. It is 3.5 metres long and weighs 154 kg. It has a launch speed of 0.4 Mach to 2 Mach. One Mach equals the speed of sound. When the air-to-air version is developed, the Astra can be launched from Su 30 MKI (Mark India), Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas,” he said.
 
Will Nag have ability of being a top attack missile and to be fired from say the gun barrels of T90?

P.S. I just made it to Lt Colonel Hurrah!!! :chilli:
 
Will Nag have ability of being a top attack missile and to be fired from say the gun barrels of T90?

P.S. I just made it to Lt Colonel Hurrah!!! :chilli:

Nag has the ability to do top attack, but it is based on a dedicated carrier (Namica) one version is HELINA which is fired from helicopter. It is not capable of being fired from a gun of tank.
 
I have read that for Arjun MBT India was looking at the Israeli LAHAT missile what is the status of that missile regarding Indian army?
 

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Nag anti-tank missile to undergo climax trials next week




New Delhi, July 20 (PTI) After a string of successful missile tests, India will undertake the climax trials of its indigenous third generation anti-tank missile 'Nag' next week.
The 'fire and forget' anti-tank missile, named after the King of snakes, Cobra, would undergo its final baptism trials for two days next week in the Pokhran desert, almost 22 years after it was first conceived, DRDO officials said.

Seven missiles would be fired against static and moving targets for 48 hours starting July 27 to test the land version of the weapon, which its makers the DRDO, claim can defeat any futuristic battle tank over a range of four kms.

"User trials by the army would come close on the heels of the Pokhran trials," officials told PTI exuding confidence that the country's first ever such weapon would be inducted in large numbers by November-December this year.

Army needs these missiles in large numbers which is evident by acquisition of 4,000 Anti-Tank Guided Missiles recently from Russia and France.

Now the forces are about to float new tenders to induct another 4,000 such missiles and DRDO expects the indigenous Nag to be on top of the contention.

Nag, is the last of the five missile systems successfully developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

The other four Surface-to-Surface Prithvi and Agni series of missiles as well as Surface-to-Air Akash are in the process of induction. About Trishul multi-mission missile, DRDO says development trials are already over. PTI
 
http://www.ptinews.com/pti\ptisite.nsf/0/E60E81EBC629233B6525748C001E5F76?OpenDocument

Nag anti-tank missile to undergo climax trials next week




New Delhi, July 20 (PTI) After a string of successful missile tests, India will undertake the climax trials of its indigenous third generation anti-tank missile 'Nag' next week.
The 'fire and forget' anti-tank missile, named after the King of snakes, Cobra, would undergo its final baptism trials for two days next week in the Pokhran desert, almost 22 years after it was first conceived, DRDO officials said.

Seven missiles would be fired against static and moving targets for 48 hours starting July 27 to test the land version of the weapon, which its makers the DRDO, claim can defeat any futuristic battle tank over a range of four kms.

"User trials by the army would come close on the heels of the Pokhran trials," officials told PTI exuding confidence that the country's first ever such weapon would be inducted in large numbers by November-December this year.

Army needs these missiles in large numbers which is evident by acquisition of 4,000 Anti-Tank Guided Missiles recently from Russia and France.

Now the forces are about to float new tenders to induct another 4,000 such missiles and DRDO expects the indigenous Nag to be on top of the contention.

Nag, is the last of the five missile systems successfully developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

The other four Surface-to-Surface Prithvi and Agni series of missiles as well as Surface-to-Air Akash are in the process of induction. About Trishul multi-mission missile, DRDO says development trials are already over. PTI
 
LiveFist: Nag ready for final trials

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008

Nag ready for final trials

Next week, Nag, the indigenously developed third generation anti-tank guided missile (3GATGM) will begin terminal trials at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. Spread across three days, the Nag will be fired at ceiling range against upto seven armoured targets (both moving and static), including with the top-attack capability. These are planned to be the final trials of the missile's development phase. A round of confirmatory trials and user trials with the Army will be carried out either next month of early September.

The Hindu quoted Nag programme director SS Mishra in January as saying, "The third-generation missile is a truly fire-and-forget system. Unlike the first-generation system, in which the operator has to track and guide manually, Nag is entirely autonomous from launch-to-impact to ensure zero-miss distance

I wish best of luck for DRDO guys
 

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