In February 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Indian Navy (IN), successfully conducted flight trials of first-of-its-kind, indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR).
- The tests were carried out at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located at Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, with the missile launched from the IN’s Sea King 42B Helicopter.
- This missile will replace the Sea Eagle missiles which are currently in use with the IN.
About Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR):
i.The NASM-SR is a product of collaborative efforts by several laboratories of the DRDO, including: Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad (Telangana); Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad; High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune (Maharashtra) and Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh (Punjab).
ii.The missile’s production involves partnerships with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), startups, and other production partners, contributing to the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative by promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Key Features :
i.Man-in-Loop Capability: The NASM-SR demonstrated its Man-in-Loop feature, allowing human intervention during the missile’s operation.
- This capability enables the pilot to control or override automated systems at specific stages of flight.
ii.LOAL:The missile was launched in Bearing-only Lock-on after Launch (LOAL) mode, initially guided by a broad target direction, then precisely hit a smaller target.
iii.Precision Strike: The missile successfully targeted and hit a small ship at its maximum range of 50 kilometers (km) while operating in sea-skimming mode.
- Sea-skimming involves the missile flying close to the sea surface to evade detection by enemy radars.
iv.Advanced Guidance Systems: Equipped with an Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red(IIR) Seeker for terminal guidance, the NASM-SR also features a high-bandwidth 2-way data link system.
- This system transmits live seeker images back to the pilot, facilitating in-flight retargeting.
v.Mid-Course Navigation: The missile utilizes a Fiber Optic Gyroscope (FOG)-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) and a Radio Altimeter (RA) for precise mid-course guidance.
vi.Integrated Avionics: An integrated avionics module manages various missile functions, while electro-mechanical actuators provide aerodynamic and jet vane control, ensuring agile maneuvering and target acquisition.
vii.Warhead: Contains a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) warhead, designed for effective target engagement.
viii.Power and Propulsion: NASM-SR incorporates thermal batteries for power supply and operates on a solid propulsion system, featuring an in-line ejectable booster and a long-burn sustainer for sustained flight and target impact.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
DRDO is India’s premier agency under the Department of Defence (DoD), Research and Development (R&D), Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI).
Chairman- Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established-1958
