India successfully test-fired a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from INS Delhi for the first time . Successful maiden BrahMos firing by INS Delhi from an upgraded modular launcher once again demonstrated long-range strike capability of BrahMos along with validation of integrated Network Centric Operations from frontline platforms, said Indian Navy. This firing is yet another shot in the arm for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) also successfully test-fired a BrahMos supersonic missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet on the Eastern seaboard. During the test, the missile achieved a direct hit on the target, a decommissioned Indian Navy ship. The mission was undertaken in close coordination with the Indian navy.
About BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile
BRAHMOS is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine as its first stage which brings it to supersonic speed and then gets separated. The liquid ramjet or the second stage then takes the missile closer to 3 Mach speed in cruise phase. Stealth technology and guidance system with advanced embedded software provides the missile with special features. The missile has flight range of up to 290-km with supersonic speed all through the flight, leading to shorter flight time, consequently ensuring lower dispersion of targets, quicker engagement time and non-interception by any known weapon system in the world.
It operates on ‘Fire and Forget Principle’, adopting varieties of flights on its way to the target. Its destructive power is enhanced due to large kinetic energy on impact. Its cruising altitude could be up to 15 km and terminal altitude is as low as 10 meters. It carries a conventional warhead weighing 200 to 300 kgs. Compared to existing state-of-the-art subsonic cruise missiles, BRAHMOS
has:
- 3 times more velocity
- 2.5 to 3 times more flight range
- 3 to 4 times more seeker range
- 9 times more kinetic energy
The missile has identical configuration for land, sea and sub-sea platforms and uses a Transport Launch Canister (TLC) for transportation, storage and launch.
Special Features
- Universal for multiple platforms
- “Fire and Forget” principle of operation
- High supersonic speed all through the flight
- Long flight range with varieties of flight trajectories
- Low radar signature
- Shorter flight times leading to lower target dispersion and quicker engagement
- Pin point accuracy with high lethal power aided by large kinetic energy on impact
Status
BRAHMOS is the first supersonic cruise missile known to be in service. Induction of the first version of BRAHMOS Weapon Complex in the Indian Navy commenced from 2005.
The Indian Army has also inducted many BRAHMOS regiments since 2007.
The IAF has successfully inducted BRAHMOS Air Launched Cruise Missile system armed with Sukhoi30MKI frontline fighter aircraft.
