The Long Range – Anti Ship Missile (LRAShM) is a hypersonic anti-ship missile programme undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India for the Indian Armed Forces.
| LRAShM | |
|---|---|
| Type | Hypersonic anti-ship missile, Medium range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Developmental trials |
| Used by | Integrated Rocket Force, Indian Navy (intended) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | <20 t (20 long tons; 22 short tons) |
| Length | 14 m (45 ft 11 in) |
| Diameter | 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) |
| Warhead | Hypersonic glide vehicle |
Operational range | >1,500 kilometres (930 mi) |
| Maximum speed | >Mach 6 |
Launch platform | Transporter erector launcher, Vertical launching system (Warships) |
The first variant being developed is the anti-ship variant for the Indian Navy and can be launched from shore-based TEL as well as warship-based VLS launchers. Further land-based variants of the missile will also be developed for use by other branches of the Armed Forces. This will be a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) and deployed as a part of Integrated Rocket Force.[1][2]
Development
editIndia has developed several series of ballistic missiles for the three services. Land-based nuclear-capable ballisitic missiles have a range of up to 5,000 km (3,100 mi) whereas their sea-based counterparts have a range of up to 3,500 km (2,200 mi). This includes Pralay, Prithvi series, Agni series and the K series of missiles. However, most of these long-range missiles features nuclear warheads expect for the Pralay missile which has a conventional warhead option but a limited range of up to 500 km (310 mi) and is designed for major tactical conventional strikes. Hence, the need was felt to develop a conventional warhead-equipped ballistic missile with a range of over 1,500 km (930 mi).[3][4]
In September 2022, reports revealed that Defence Research and Development Organisation is ready with the design of a 1,500-kilometer range conventionally armed ballistic missile with an anti-ship variant. The proposal to initiate the development of the unnamed missile was moved to the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and DRDO awaited for the approval from the committee. The missile will have the capability to deter any land or sea-based threats.[5][6]
The under development missile was first mentioned in the 2023 Year End Review of the Ministry of Defence. The missile was named Long Range – Anti Ship Missile (LRAShM).[7]
In 2024, it was reported that the LRAShM and its land-based variant would form a part of the proposed Integrated Rocket Force along with Pralay, BrahMos, Nirbhay and Pinaka MBRL.[4][2]
The missile is being developed in the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad with other DRDO laboratories and industry partners.[8][1] The Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) assigned Sterling Techno-Systems, a private sector business based in Pune, the responsibility for developing the dummy article to simulate load and force on the vehicle during trials.[9] The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility of the National Aerospace Laboratories.[10]
Design
editAs per a report, the missile's diameter is probably 1.4 meters, and is around 14 meters long. It weighs less than 20 tonnes in total. This missile could be closely related to the Agni-P and the K4 ballistic missiles.[11] The missile incorporates a delta-wing hypersonic glide vehicle.[12] It has a minimum range of 1,500 km (930 mi) and utilises Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) to reduce the reaction time of the target to retaliate or defend itself. The glide vehicle follows a quasi-ballisitc trajectory and a lower speed at terminal phase as compared to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles which enhances manoeuvrability and reduces the effectiveness of the adversaries' air defence missiles.[8] The missile will have several warhead configurations for use in various roles by all the branches of the Indian Armed Forces.[13]
From a hermetically sealed container, LRAShM is cold-launched. Before the first-stage solid rocket motor ignites, it fires attitude control thrusters twice. Beginning around 8 seconds after lift-off, the missile's trajectory shifts from vertical to horizontal in about 6 seconds. With its early post-launch change to a horizontal trajectory, the missile is intended to fly in the atmosphere for the whole mission. A booster stage and a hypersonic sustainer engine make up the two solid propellant rocket stages of the LRAShM. The mid-body of the rocket has cruciform, short span, and long chord aerodynamic surfaces, while the aft body has four small triangular fins. Fins give flight stability, whereas mid-body aerodynamic surfaces give lift, flight path control, and maneuverability. The cruciform design lowers aerodynamic drag at high speed.[14]
Testing
edit- The first test was conducted on an unspecified date in 2023 as per the 2023 Year End Review of the Ministry of Defence.[7]
- The missile was again tested on 16 November 2024 from the Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The missile was tracked by various optical sensors deployed across various domains. The test was successful and terminal maneuvers and high accuracy of the missile was as per expectations of the developing team.[1] Earlier, a report had suggested the test launch of a similar anti-ship ballistic missile that could target warships and aircraft carriers at long distances of over 1,000 km (620 mi).[15]
See also
editOther related Indian missile programmes
- Shaurya (missile) – a hypersonic short range ballistic missile
- Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle – a hypersonic short range ballistic missile
- HGV-202F – a hypersonic glide vehicle development programme
- List of Indian military missiles – a list of missiles used by or under development for Indian Armed Forces.
Related missile programmes of other countries
- DF-ZF – a Chinese hypersonic glide vehicle
- Avangard – a Russian hypersonic glide vehicle
- Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 – an American hypersonic glide vehicle programme
- Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon – an American hypersonic ballistic missile programme
- 3M22 Zircon – a Russian hypersonic missile
- Kh-47M2 Kinzhal – a Russian hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile
- Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile – an American hypersonic cruise missile programme
References
edit- ^ a b c "DRDO carries out successful flight-trial of India's first long-range hypersonic missile off the Odisha coast". Press Information Bureau. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Newly-proposed rocket forces may get 1,500 km range ballistic missiles". India Today. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ "DRDO's conventional ballistic missile design ready, awaits signal for development". Hindustan Times. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ a b "India tests long-range cruise missile for precision-strike capabilities". The Times of India. 18 April 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ Gupta, Shishir (2 September 2022). "DRDO's conventional ballistic missile design ready, awaits nod for development". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ admin (3 September 2022). "DRDO's Conventional Ballistic Missile Design Ready, Awaits Signal For Development". Bharat Shakti. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ a b "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - YEAR END REVIEW 2023". Press Information Bureau. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ a b "DRDO conducts historic flight trial of long-range hypersonic missile". The Times of India. 17 November 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ "LR-ASHM". Sterling Techno-System. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Bengaluru: 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel at National Aerospace Laboratories completes 55 years of service". ANI. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "LR-ASHM – Sterling Techno-System". Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ Fretay, Halna du. "India Successfully Tests First Long-Range Hypersonic Missile LRAShM". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Menon, Adithya Krishna (17 November 2024). "India Conducts Maiden Tests of Long Range Hypersonic and Subsonic Naval Missiles". Naval News. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ Thakur, Vijainder K. (19 November 2024). "A Shock & Awe Game Changer! India's 1500-KM-Ranged Hypersonic Missile 'Betters' Russian Zircon, China's DF-21". Eurasian Times. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "India set to test over 1,000 km strike range anti-ship ballistic missile". ANI. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.