John wrote:ashishvikas wrote:Even the baseline
Akash SAM has demonstrated counter-PGM capability having successfully
intercepted SPICE 2000 glide bombs during acceptance trials as revealed by @DRDO_India.
DRDO says that it can intercept targets at altitudes as low as 30 metres.
https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/1171285263059808257
That's something a command guided missile should have no trouble accomplishing, however there capability will be limited when it comes to intercepting maneuvering low flying missile. The latency will greatly reduce engagement range and need to maintain los could reduce hit probability in urban environments.
Perhaps, I think, such statement arrises becoz we dont possibly know the workings of SPICE 2000. We are tempted to belittle the achievement. Its OK. I could see a lot of negative vibes in the last few pages.
No canister...Akash SAM is not fexible.....
Only 12 missiles, no good, not modern..
Not as advanced as QRSAM...so Akash is obsolete..
Infact Army wanted a less capable missile than Akash as it wanted the missile system to be light weight. Akash can reach 18 kms in altitude compared to just 6 kms for QRSAM, just 1/3rd. Obviously missile becomes light and more mobile.
IA spilt its SRSAM requirement into two, static & mobile. For its static part IA selected much like IAF selected Akash for its requirement.
For its SRSAM-mobile it went for QRSAM. QRSAM missile in commonality with IN SRSAM requirement exceeds the IA requirement. It performed better. Latest trials held tested QRSAM in its sea skimming role.
So it is not that Akash is seen as poor in the eyes of IA. Requirement & expectations changed. Nor it is less capable SAM.
Comming to the question of latency in dealing with manoeuvring cruise missile flying at low level...
First of all, requirement underwhich Akash was inducted by IAF is named as 'Low Level Quick Reaction SAM'. That is, the primary objective is to deal with the threats at low level. IAF, as per the reports came after trials seems very satisfied with Akash performance.
Second, when Akash Sam is deployed, say to defend airbase, IAF knows the terrain, vantage points, blind spots, possible approach routes of such low level cruise missile & other things. These are the basic study they do before placing various elements of SAM in their position. Further Akash SAM can be deployed in many configurations. It fuses data from many radars and select missile from that particular missile laucher which is more suited for successful iterception. It is not that such scenarios are not foreseen.
Spyder-SR SAM inducted by IAF has range limitations at low level/ tree top height. When there is blind spot, it too can loose the lock, no? So no point in beating around...I leave it here..