The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday conducted a series of tests of multi-barrel rocket system Pinaka from its test range off the Odisha coast.
Defence sources said altogether four rounds of rockets were test fired successfully from the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher in between 2 pm to 4 pm. While one rocket was used during each trial, the tests were aimed to assess its stability in flight as well as accuracy and consistency.
A defence official said mounted on a Tatra truck the rocket system performed well and yielded desired results. “The tests were conducted for a 20 km range and the entire mission was tracked by long range tracking radars. It met all mission objectives,” he said.
The tests were conducted by the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) personnel while the technical staffs of the integrated test range (ITR) provided strategic support.
The rocket launcher, which is also known as the Weapon Area System (WAS), can fire rockets with a range of 40 km and also launch 12 rockets with high explosives within 44 seconds. A battery of six launchers having 72 rockets can neutralise targets in an area of around four square km at a time.
The Pinaka is a state-of-the-art weapon with high operational mobility, flexibility and accuracy. It can incorporate several types of warheads and is operable at extreme conditions of temperature.
The official said three more rounds of tests would be conducted for a range of 35 km on Thursday. The tests are significant, as the system with advanced technology would be inducted in the armed forces later this year.
These rockets have a maximum speed of mach 4.7 and can rise to an altitude of 4 km before hitting its target at mach 1.8. Integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the Pinaka is also in the pipeline, as DRDO is reportedly working on installing guidance system in these rockets to increase their accuracy.
Its quick reaction time and high rate of fire provides the army an edge during low-intensity war-like situations. Pinaka was first used during the Kargil war, where it was successful in neutralizing enemy positions on the mountain tops.
Meanwhile, Balangir MP Kalikesh Singhdeo has demanded the establishment of Pinaka rocket manufacturing plant in the premises of Badmal Ordnance factory near Saintala. Stating that only 1000 Pinaka rockets are being manufactured at the Maharastra Ordnance factory, he has written a letter to Defence Minister A K Antony with a hope that the production capacity could be enhanced to 5000 if the plant is set up at Badmal.
Earlier, a team of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) had visited the Badmal premises and reportedly expressed their satisfaction over the feasibility of the rocket manufacturing plant there.