New Delhi. BRAHMOS, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile created history on November 22, 2017 after it was successfully flight-tested first time from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI against a sea based target in the Bay of Bengal. The missile was gravity dropped from the Su-30 from fuselage, and the two stage missile’s engine fired up and straightway propelled towards the intended target at the sea in Bay of Bengal.
The successful maiden test firing of BRAHMOS Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) from Su-30MKI will significantly bolster the IAF’s air combat operations capability from stand-off ranges. BRAHMOS ALCM weighing 2.5 ton is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on India’s Su-30 fighter aircraft modified by HAL to carry weapons.
BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile with Indigenous Seeker Successfully Test-fired
NEW DELHI/POKHRAN: India on March 22, 2018 successfully test fired the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile with an indigenous seeker at Pokhran test range in Rajasthan.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the missile hit the target with “pin-point” accuracy and the success will further bolster India’s national security.
The test firing comes three months after the BRAHMOS cruise missile was successfully test fired for the first time from the Indian Air Force’s frontline Sukhoi-30 MKI combat jet.
“Formidable Supersonic Cruise Missile #BrahMos was successfully flight tested at 8:42 AM today at Pokhran test range, Rajasthan. The precision strike weapon with Indian-made seeker flew in its designated trajectory and hit the target with pin-point accuracy,” Ms Sitharaman tweeted.
The range of the missile, an Indo-Russia joint venture, can be extended up to 400 km as certain technical restrictions were lifted after India became a full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) last year.
BRAHMOS is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia.
The Defence Minister congratulated the DRDO following Thursday’s successful test firing.
BRAHMOS missile is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on India’s Su-30 fighter aircraft.
Work has already begun to integrate BRAHMOS on 40 Sukhoi combat aircraft which is expected to fulfil the critical needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the wake of evolving security dynamics in the region.
BRAHMOS, the world-class weapon with multi-platform, multi-mission role is now capable of being launched from Land, Sea and Air, completing the tactical cruise missile triad for India. Brahmos is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated DRDO and BrahMos for the outstanding accomplishment. Dr S Christopher, Chairman DRDO & Secretary, Department of Defence R&D congratulated the Scientists and Engineers for this excellent text book kind of flight test.
The missile test was witnessed by Dr Sudhir Mishra, DG (BrahMos) & CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace along with senior IAF officials, Scientists and Officials from DRDO and BrahMos.
