On 15th and 16th July 2020, The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) test fired the Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) named “Dhruvastra” (Formerly known as Helicopter launched Nag Missile, “HELINA”) without Helicopter at the Interim Test Range (ITR) in Balasore, Odisha.
The flight trials were conducted in direct and top attack mode.
Dhruvastra:
Dhruvastra was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme(IGMDP) of DRDO.It is a 3rd generation ‘fire and forget’ class ATGM system mounted on the Advanced Light Helicopter(ALH).
Features:
i.The missile has an advanced passive homing guidance system, possessing high single shot hit or kill probability(SSKP) & designed with a capability to destroy heavy armoured vehicles and new age battle tanks.
ii.Eight missiles can be integrated with the helicopter with four twin launchers specially designed for the weapon.
Missile Specifications:
i.The 1.9 m long missile weighs 45 Kg with a diameter of 0.16 m.
ii.The missile travels at a speed of 240 meter per second.
iii.The missile can attack a target at a range of minimum 500m to 7 Km.
iv.The single shot hit or kill probability(SSKP) of the missile is higher than 80%.
v.HeliNa has an extended strike range of about 8 km whereas Nag missile has a maximum range of 4 km.
About DRDO:
Chairman– Dr G. Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters– New Delhi
Recent Related News:
i.Pak Navy successfully test-fires anti-ship missiles in North Arabian Sea.
ii.Vice-Admiral Atul Kumar Jain of ENC inaugurates a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Complex in Vizag.
