On 7th December 2021, India successfully test-fired the Vertically Launched Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges, including sea-skimming targets.
- The VL-SRSAM is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO for the Indian Navy
- The test launch was monitored by senior officials of the DRDO and Indian Navy.
Key Note – The launch was conducted to validate the integrated operation of all weapon system components, including the vertical launcher unit with controller, canisterised flight vehicle and weapon control system.
Significance:
i.The launch was conducted from a vertical launcher against an electronic target at a very low altitude.
ii.The VL-SRSAM can engage targets at around 40 km and the missile’s trajectories are monitored using number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur
iii.The missile can fly close to sea surface to avoid being detected by the radars onboard warships.
Previous trial:
The first trial was conducted on 22nd February 2021 to prove the consistent performance of the weapon system.
Contributors:
The key contributors to the system from DRDO facilities are,
1.Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad
2.Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
3.Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), Pune.
About VL-SRSAM:
The missile features mid-course inertial guidance through fibre-optic gyroscope and active radar homing during terminal phase.
Operational range – 40 km (25 miles)
Launch Platform – Surface ship
Used by – Indian Navy
Recent Related News:
In September 2021, DRDO successfully flight tested the new version of Akash missile ‘Akash Prime’ from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. It was the missile’s maiden test in which an unmanned aerial target was destroyed.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Chairman – G.Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Parent Ministry – Ministry of Defence (MoD)
