KrishG wrote:Specific info from Rikshaw-walaa revealed that the fact that air launched version of BrahMos would weigh 2500 kg compared to the basic Army & Naval versions which weighed at 3000 kg. Therefore it would help us assume that due to the reduction of weight, the overall weight of the missile would go down.
ramana wrote:The air launched versio might not have the solid fuel booster or carry empty case for production commonality purposes? That way all the parts are same and reduces overall costs?
The weight thing is expected. That's the solid booster going out. Basically, the launch aircraft will have to fly to high speeds and then release the weapon to compensate for the lack of the booster rocket.
Nevertheless, the solid rocket booster inside the Brahmos is not attached as a separate outer case that falls off like a Ballistic missile stage. The outer length of the missile remains the same but the booster stage vacates the combustor space and nozzle section of the ramjet due to ram pressure when the booster power runs out. I think there is even a video of Dr. Pillai showing that separation on a model on youtube somewhere. He showed the removal of the solid booster from the main rocket as if he were removing two concentric tubes.
The bottom-line was that if this booster phase is eliminated, the weight comes down by several hundred kilos as expected, but the length of the missile remains the same.
At least that is what I had expected. So I am inclined to believe the Hindu report that the length remains the same while the mass reduces.
Also, if the above is true, then it should be expected that the Air Launched Brahmos will go around 300 Km with its own on board power but if the launch aircraft can launch at the very border (or even beyond) then its
effective operational range should be considerably increased.