BALASORE: In a historical first, supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, with advanced guidance system and indigenously built software algorithm, was successfully test-fired in steep dive mode from a defence base off the Odisha coast on Tuesday.
Defence sources said the missile was blasted off at around 10.38 am from a mobile autonomous launcher (MAL) located in the launching complex-III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from Balasore.
Managing Director and CEO of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) A Sivathanu Pillai confirmed that it was a text book launch achieving 100 per cent results. This development flight trial, making world record, has proved three key aspects for the success of the mission.
“The missile system integrated with multiple navigation satellites powered by new software algorithm, without homing device, achieved high level of accuracy and further enhancing the precision capability against hidden land targets including mountainous regions,” he said.
This weapon during the flight test also accomplished the supersonic steep dive capability against difficult land targets besides realising airframe, both composite and metallic, built by the Indian industries which were tested and evaluated and altogether provided substantial increase of indigenously produced content in the missile.
“With this success, BrahMos has become the only supersonic cruise missile possessing this advanced capability in the world providing an edge to the user with precise hit,” Pillai stated.
This was the 44th launch of BrahMos which was carried out with high level of reliability. About 205 Indian industries have come in a big way by significantly contributing their know-how and expertise in realising this weapon system.
The missile’s successful launch is expected to give a boost to the ongoing programme of future installations of the weapon system in the Indian Army against hidden land targets for mountain warfare operations.
The BrahMos missile, the fastest in the world, has a flight range of up to 290 km and carries a conventional warhead of 200 to 300 kg, thus delivering with high-precision, devastating power at supersonic speed.
The Army and Navy have already inducted the missile system. The launch of the missile’s air version integrated with Su-30MKI will be carried out by the end of 2014.