Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight test of the new generation Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
- The flight test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude. The target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed. The successful flight test has paved the way for user trials.
About Akash surface-to-air missile:
- AKASH is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile system to protect vulnerable areas and vulnerable points from air attacks.
- Indigenously designed and developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- The system features a launcher, a set of missiles, a control centre, a built-in mission guidance system, multi-functional radar, C4I (command, control communication and intelligence) centres and supporting ground equipment. It is highly immune to active and passive jamming.
- Akash missiles can simultaneously engage Multiple Targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode and destroy manoeuvring targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, and missiles launched from choppers.
- The entire Akash weapon system has been configured on mobile platforms. This makes it agile as it can be transported fast anywhere.
- Range: It can hit aerial targets between 4.5 km to 25 km, with an effective altitude of 100 metres to 20 km.
- Propellant: Solid fuel. Solid propellants are composed of a mixture of fuel and oxidizers bound together in a solid form. They provide high thrust, simplicity of operation, and relatively long storage life, making them suitable for ballistic missile applications.
- Used by both Indian Air force and Indian Army.
Akash-NG:
- This missile is a successor to the Akash and Akash-1S series of missiles with improvements such as:
- Dual-pulse solid rocket motor which is lighter compared to the engine present in the earlier Akash and Akash-1S missiles. (reduces the weight of the platform).
- AESA Multifunction targeting radar to improve its probability of kill with smaller ground operations.
- Improved reaction time and higher level of protection against aerial attacks.
- Range: 70- 80 kms.