Article Posted on : - Jul 08, 2014

BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile launch at ITR Balasore on 8th July 2014. In the inset, nose cap of the missile getting removed during flight.

BALASORE, ODISHA (BNS): The BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile was successfully flight-tested on 8th July 2014 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) Chandipur in Balasore, Odisha.

During the launch at 1038 hrs, the missile flew through the designated 290 kms distance at Mach 2.8 and achieved high precision with steep dive once again.

Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, CEO and MD, BrahMos Aerospace confirmed that it was a text book launch achieving 100% results, executed with high precision from the Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL) prepared by the BRAHMOS 3rd regiment of Indian Army team.

In a historical first, the advanced guidance system integrating multiple navigation satellites powered with new software algorithm, developed indigenously by Indian scientists and industries resulted in pinpoint accuracy of the missile system against hidden land targets.

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 knowhow and expertise in realising the BRAHMOS weapon system.

Indigenous airframe produced by L&T and Godrej, guidance system by HAL, OBC, MIU by Ananth Technologies Ltd., Electronics industries, software development and guidance scheme by DRDO/RCI have been proved in the flight increasing the content from Indian industries.

Dr. Pillai, CEO & MD, BrahMos, further informed that this development flight trial of BRAHMOS, making world record, has proved three key aspects for the success of the mission:

1. Achieving high level of accuracy with multiple navigation satellites integrated with advanced software, without homing device, thus enabling pinpoint accuracy and further enhancing the precision capability against hidden land targets including mountainous regions.

2. Accomplishing the supersonic steep dive capability against difficult land targets.

3. Realisation of airframe, both composite & metallic, built by the Indian industries which were tested and evaluated and altogether provided substantial increase of Indian produced content in the missile.

The missile's successful launch will give a boost to the ongoing programme of future installations of BRAHMOS 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 air-version of BRAHMOS missile integrated with Su-30MKI will be carried out by the end of this year.