On January 25-26, 2021, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden launch of Akash-NG (New Generation) Surface to Air Missile (SAM) from Integrated Test Range of Balasore, off the coast of Odisha, along with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) & Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). It has strike range of 30 km.
Developed by – The missile is developed by the DRDO laboratory, Research Centre Imarat (RCI). The missile is developed with 96% indigenous content.
Objective- The missile has been developed for the Indian Air Force (IAF) use with an aim of intercepting high maneuvering low Radar cross-section (RCS) aerial threats.
Note – Bharat Electronics is the lead integrator for the IAF’s Akash squadrons, while Bharat Dynamics is the lead integrator for the Army order.
Features of the Missile:
–The weight of the missile was reduced from 700kg to 350 kg.
–Akash SAM detects enemy fighters at ranges out to 80 km. By the time the enemy aircraft is 50 km away, the Akash NG’s computers have calculated the launch trajectory and impact point, and the missile is launched.
Key Points:
–The launch met all the test objectives.
–The performance of the Command and Control system, onboard avionics and aerodynamic configuration of the missile was also successfully validated during the trial.
During the test launch, entire flight path of the missile was monitored and the flight data was captured by various Range instruments.
Integrated Weapons System Design Centre Launched in Hyderabad, Telangana
Vice-President Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the Integrated Weapons System Design Centre at DRDO’s APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- The centre would enhance the capability in design and development of command and control systems for surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and ballistic missile defence (BMD) systems.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
Headquarter– New Delhi
Chairman– Dr G. Satheesh Reddy
