EXCLUSIVE: Nirbhay Cruise Missile Deviates From Trajectory, Terminated Mid Air
BALASORE: A developmental test of India’s first home grown cruise missile Nirbhay failed once again with the weapon system deviating from the pre-designated trajectory forcing the mission team to terminate it mid-way on Friday.
Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this nuclear capable missile was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the Odisha coast at about 11.40 am on Friday. The missile blasted off from a mobile launcher specifically designed for Nirbhay by the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE).
But as apprehended by ‘The New Indian Express’ in its previous story, the weapon system developed technical snags during flight and veered off the intended trajectory.
A reliable source said the missile could cover only 129 km in 11 minutes before deviating from the pre-coordinated flight path. “The missile has to be terminated mid-path to prevent damages to human habitation. The missile was to fly nearly one hour and cover full strike range. Forget about attaining low height as set for the mission, the missile could not even travel the desired distance,” the source claimed.
Also Read: Possible 'Technical Snags' Delays Nirbhay Cruise Missile Test
In an earlier report ‘The Express’ had mentioned how the fuel tank which had not cleared the Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) tests was used in Nirbhay-3 making it vulnerable during flight. It had also raised doubts on the Independent Verification and Validation of Nirbhay flight control software (NFCS).
In its first attempt on March 12, 2013, the missile had also behaved in a similar way and swerved, prompting the defence authorities to destroy it mid air. Even as the DRDO had then claimed that the missile covered nearly 200 km in 20 minutes before its deviation from the intended flight path, its wreckages had fallen in Gadaharishpur in Jagatsinghpur district which is nearly 100 km from the launching complex aerially.
Second test of the missile on October 17 last year was however claimed as successful by the DRDO though it could not maintain low height. Nirbhay continued its flight that lasted nearly 73 minutes and covered the desired distance. This time too the DRDO was expecting the missile to perform as coordinated. A few newly developed sub-systems were to be proved during this test.
Sources said some technical glitches had developed prior to the missile launch which reportedly delayed the test for nearly two hours. The missile was made vertical in the morning and the preliminary countdown set for 9.30 am after a special puja and some ceremonial offerings at launching complex. “Sukhoi fighter aircraft also had taken off from Kalaikunda air base to track the missile.
But the countdown was stopped at 3 minute due to some faults probably in the launcher. After sometime, the 20-minute countdown was again set and later it was increased to 50-minute,” the source said. The two-stage missile has a length of six meters, diameter of 0.52 m, wing span 2.7 m and a launch weight of about 1,500 kgs. While the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has designed the missile, its solid rocket motor booster has been developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL).
Nirbhay has been designed to have good loitering and maneuvering capability, best control and guidance, high degree of accuracy in terms of impact and stealth features. The cruise missile having a strike range of around 1,000 km is expected to supplement the Indo-Russian joint venture supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, which can carry warheads up to 290 km.
While the authorities of ITR were tightlipped, Director General of DRDO Selvin Christopher and Director General (Aeronautics) K Tamilmani did not respond calls from ‘The Express’.
EXCLUSIVE: Nirbhay Cruise Missile Deviates From Trajectory, Terminated Mid Air -The New Indian Express
...Keep trying for next five years and your nirbhay will be a world class 
