Indian Missiles and Munitions Discussion

Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 13 Jul 2012 11:21

India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile, with a strike range of 700 km, as part of the Army’s user trials from a test range at Wheeler Island off Odisha.

The surface-to-surface, single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, was test-fired from a mobile launcher at 10.10 a.m. from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island, about 100 km from Balasore, defence sources said.

“The trial of the sophisticated missile with a strike range of 700 km was successful,” a defence scientist said.

Describing the launch as a routine user’s trial by the strategic force command of Indian Army, he said the main objective was to train the user team to launch the missile.

“It was a practice-drill. The user-team picked a missile at random from the production lot and fired it with logistic support provided by Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) at ITR,” he said.

Agni-I missile has a specialised navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy and precision, he said.

The trajectory of the missile, which has an operational strike range of 700 km, was tracked by sophisticated radars and electro-optic telemetry stations located along the sea coast and ships positioned near the impact point in the downrange area.

Weighing 12 tonnes, the 15-metre-long Agni-I, which can carry payloads up to 1000 kg, has already been inducted into the Indian Army.

Agni-I was developed by advanced systems laboratory, the premier missile development laboratory of the DRDO in collaboration with Defence Research Development Laboratory and Research Centre Imarat and integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad.

The last trial of the Agni-I missile was successfully carried out on December 1, 2011 from the same base.

Since the missile has already been inducted into the armed forces, it is important to conduct user trials for training of defence personnel and improvement of their skills, sources said.

sum · Post by **sum** » 13 Jul 2012 11:22

India tests N-capable Agni-I missile

Balasore: India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile, with a strike range of 700 km, as part of the Army's user trial from a test range at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.

The surface-to-surface, single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, was test-fired from a mobile launcher at about 1010 hrs from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island, about 100 km from here, defence sources said.

"The trial of the sophisticated missile with a strike range of 700 km was successful," a defence scientist said.

Describing the launch as a routine user’s trial by the strategic force command of Indian Army, he said the main objective was to train the user team to launch the missile.

"It was a practice-drill. The user-team picked a missile at random from the production lot and fired it with logistic support provided by Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) at ITR," he said.

Agni-I missile has a specialised navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy and precision, he said.

The trajectory of the missile, which has an operational strike range of 700 km, was tracked by sophisticated radars and electro-optic telemetry stations located along the sea coast and ships positioned near the impact point in the downrange area.

Weighing 12 tonnes, the 15-metre-long Agni-I, which can carry payloads up to 1000 kg, has already been inducted into the Indian Army.

One year to the day of the Mumbai July 13 blasts

member_19648 · Post by **member_19648** » 13 Jul 2012 12:36

sum wrote:^^ whatever happened to the planned salvo of A-II A-III, A-IV which were to be user-trails immediately after the A-V test?

http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article556438.ece

DRDO chief and Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister V K Saraswat confirmed that the test was planned to be conducted in the second week of July. “After that two other variants of Agni will be tested and the DRDO is planning for the second test of Agni-V in early next year,” he told ‘The New Indian Express’.

Though Agni-I was initially planned to be tested in May, but the test was deferred till July reportedly due to some problems during the integration of the missile with the tracking systems and other sub-systems.

A defence scientist associated with the programme said there were considerable improvements in its re-entry technology and manoeuvrability since Agni-I’s first trial in 2002. This test will reconfirm the technical parameters set for the user (Army).

Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 13 Jul 2012 23:32

Roperia wrote:Agni-I successfully test-fired | PTI

The Hindu later added more info to the PTI report.

Dr. Saraswat said the maiden launch of India’s Nirbhay, a sub-sonic cruise missile, would take place by the end of August this year. Nirbhay is India’s equivalent of Tomahawk, a long-range sub-sonic cruise missile in the arsenal of the U.S. The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO facility situated in Bangalore, has designed Nirbhay which has several technologies derived from Lakshya, a pilotless target aircraft.

The launch of Agni-V from a canister would take place after five months, he added.

saip · Post by **saip** » 14 Jul 2012 05:53

I am confused only. Were there two tests or only one?

Agni-I successfully test fired again

arun · Post by **arun** » 14 Jul 2012 09:03

Picture:

Agni-I Launch on July 13, 2012

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 14 Jul 2012 10:23

Manish_Sharma wrote:

Rather old video about the Sudarshan LGB.

There has been no new news about this for years, AFAIK.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Jul 2012 10:54

seems like a strange lacuna in our projects that other than sudarshan nothing is funded in public. no bunker buster, wing range extention kits, glonass guided kits, no SDB,no SFW....these are war winning weapons and needed in huge numbers. treating them as special weapons inventory in the low 100s and keeping them wrapped in cotton wool until enemy is at gates of dilli is a losing idea.

efforts seem focussed on missiles only.

kit · Post by **kit** » 14 Jul 2012 12:04

correct .. more of an obsession.lack of vision and planning maybe ?!

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Jul 2012 12:07

PGMs are generally used in 100:1 ratio vs missiles even by Khan (paveway/jdam/sdb/SFW/WCMD vs atacms/slam-er/jsow/jassm)

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 14 Jul 2012 12:17

Singha,

nothing is funded in public

..correct. When they have stuff ready, they will reveal it. Going by public data alone, there are clearly several PGM programs underway.

Pranav,

There has been no new news about this for years, AFAIK.

I hope you were being facetious.

Check recent reports on the DRDO site. The Sudarshan is in series production for the IAF, having cleared trials in 2010-11, and advanced versions are in development.

vasu raya · Post by **vasu raya** » 14 Jul 2012 18:08

Here's a video from livefist of the recent Agni-1 launch,

Is that an energy bleeding maneuver during boost phase? and at the end there is a flash which fades very slowly, anybody know why?

Narad · Post by **Narad** » 14 Jul 2012 18:29

^^^

This is the first time I have seen video of RV re-entry and terminal impact of an Indian missile.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Jul 2012 18:42

the flash seems like at altitude of 2-3km...likely to indicate where the n-device would explode in a real use. so it would test the functioning of altimeter and detonator electronics.
other than this old minuteman3 RV film, I am unable to find any other film showing the RV tracking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8n59S8j2C0

so this is a rare event.

vasu raya · Post by **vasu raya** » 14 Jul 2012 19:22

does the altitude say anything about warhead kT (not again

) if the target is say a population center and we are maximizing impact?

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 14 Jul 2012 20:05

nice test for neutron device. [focus on killing people rather infrastructure]..

just think about maximizing use of kl-beach sands... U233++

actually we need to preserve paki infrastructure since our past history needs to be retained.

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 14 Jul 2012 20:24

test shows that we have mastered lower atmospheric detonation which causes more destruction. I estimate height to be 400-600 meters. Agni I as well as shaurya are probably going to form the bulk of our deterrent against pakistan.

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 14 Jul 2012 20:44

vasu raya wrote:Here's a video from livefist of the recent Agni-1 launch,

[youtube]ri1WMQYiTZY[/ youtube]

Is that an energy bleeding maneuver during boost phase?
More likely.

and at the end there is a flash which fades very slowly, anybody know why?
First it is an IR footage. Second, it could be phosphorous laded explosive or similar to make it easier to identify.

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 14 Jul 2012 20:45

Karan M wrote:The Sudarshan is in series production for the IAF

Any link? And what are the numbers being produced?

Check recent reports on the DRDO site.

A google search of the DRDO site gives no such information - see https://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&q ... 1I7SKPB_en

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 14 Jul 2012 20:50

John wrote:Not sure if this hypersonic variant being discussed is reincarnation of the original engine conceived for Oniks?

Sirji, from the info i have, we may identify this as a new one. Is it possible to give more pointers to the engine you are referring to?

vasu raya · Post by **vasu raya** » 14 Jul 2012 20:54

SaiK ji, its just a show of deterrence

from the flash to touchdown thats about 1-2 secs, at high mach re-entry speed one would think its closer to Singha's figure of 2-3km, unless the video was in slow motion which probably explains the flash taking a while to fade or not, it was just plain old Phosphorescence like Kanson saab mentions

There is bird chirping in the background while its a warship in the middle of Bay of Bengal that took the terminal stage shot, is the warship close to a island?

or did it get mixed with Aroor's own soundtrack while editing

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 14 Jul 2012 21:24

15-20 kt detonation at 2-3km would probably degrade destructive impact. Unless we intend to field a greater yield.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 14 Jul 2012 21:56

what will be unique about ‘Brahmos-II’ was that India will have the lead in this hypersonic missile technologically with “multiple versions” – it can also be used for underwater missions aimed at submarine targets, giving the country an extra edge in this class of missile,

that is interesting.. are they doing a shqual on this?

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 14 Jul 2012 21:59

Singha wrote:the flash seems like at altitude of 2-3km...likely to indicate where the n-device would explode in a real use. so it would test the functioning of altimeter and detonator electronics.
other than this old minuteman3 RV film, I am unable to find any other film showing the RV tracking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8n59S8j2C0

so this is a rare event.

Yes this is a rare picture. Usually its classified every where else. The flash is the fuze being functioned. Recall we all wanted to see the AV RV splashdown picture!
It will be similar to this.

The flash is slow as its being slowed frame by frame.
The time/altitude when it happens gives idea of the fuze characteristics. Height of burst etc for targeting purposes.

Pak and Panda suars should spend some sleepless nights.

You cant ABM such a small target as the RV for their level of technology.

Again part of Credible Deterrence Doctrine.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 14 Jul 2012 22:06

they would spend sleepless years/decades if we can show the MIRV ones too... nice.

nakul · Post by **nakul** » 14 Jul 2012 22:07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaLvTZqXNmU

Some russi warheads for your viewing pleasure.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 14 Jul 2012 22:25

Now, after some 60 years, if only India can build some nice, all-weather roadS along the border it would complete the picture.

Hiten · Post by **Hiten** » 14 Jul 2012 23:04

@Pranav

it here says that IAF had placed an initial demand for a "significant number of seekers"

http://s52.radikal.ru/i135/1207/38/42371de6f53e.png

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 15 Jul 2012 00:41

the launcher vehicles should be off-road capable, however right?

Narad · Post by **Narad** » 15 Jul 2012 00:41

Sorry for OT but this is the sexiest of them all
PeaceKeeper MIRV re-entry.

Narad · Post by **Narad** » 15 Jul 2012 00:41

.....

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 15 Jul 2012 00:44

mmm.. one would dread that rather having a libidinal attraction on nukes.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 15 Jul 2012 06:57

Narad wrote:Sorry for OT but this is the sexiest of them all
PeaceKeeper MIRV re-entry.

Looks like Photoshop to me,

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Jul 2012 08:07

maybe slightly enhanced and noise reduced, but videos also exist showing similar stuff. ofcourse they did a time lapse thing at very narrow camera aperture or merged many shots to display the full trails.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Jul 2012 08:12

looking at the very high angle of reentry almost 90' this must have been a relatively elliptical short range test, to really stress the RV ?
must be a deliberate decision to release the RV footage....a message being sent out loud and clear.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 15 Jul 2012 08:50

shiv wrote:
Narad wrote:Sorry for OT but this is the sexiest of them all
PeaceKeeper MIRV re-entry.
Looks like Photoshop to me,

No likely time elapsed photo , check previous page last post of russian mirv video the warhead ateast 2 of them appear to travel almost parallel before hitting ground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaLvTZqXNmU

The amount of energy these RV generate and light up the sky at night , In the book Lightning Bolts it describes IIRC that the RV can generate electricity to light up million bulbs.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Jul 2012 09:07

next time a full colour thing of the A5 RV would be good - like the Kura thing. hopefully with MIRv tracks

pragnya · Post by **pragnya** » 15 Jul 2012 09:57

refreshing IA attitude. NAG details -

The problem with the DRDO’s anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), christened the Nag (Hindi for cobra), is its range. For most of the day and night, the Nag unerringly strikes its targets out to 4 kilometres, the range that the army demands. But in extreme heat, especially in summer afternoons in the desert, the missile cannot pick up targets beyond 2.5 kilometres. Once the temperature cools, the Nag’s seeker differentiates again between the target and surrounding objects (or ground clutter).

Dr Avinash Chander, the DRDO’s missile chief, told Business Standard, “Even in the worst conditions, the Nag is 100% accurate out to 2.5 kilometres. Except when the temperature is really high, it is also accurate at 4 kilometres. By the year-end, we will develop a seeker with higher resolution, which will be accurate at 4 kilometres in any conditions.”

The DRDO’s unusual frankness in admitting a problem has been matched by the army’s unusual helpfulness in working through it. The army has decided to buy 13 Nag carriers (NAMICA, being developed by BEL and L&T), and 443 Nag missiles in the current state. These will be deployed in areas like Punjab, where close-set villages, groves and electricity transmission cables seldom permit visibility beyond 2.5 kilometres. When the DRDO demonstrates improved performance with a better seeker, a larger order will follow.

“This is a top-class missile in every respect except for this problem. While we must have a range of 4 kilometres for the open desert, the reduced 2.5 kilometre range is acceptable for developed terrain like the Punjab. We will buy 13 Nag carriers and use these to familiarise ourselves with the system. And, in Phase II, we will order the 4 kilometre missile in bulk quantities,” says a top general who decides such contracts.

The DRDO, for whom this is a prestigious project, says that the Hyderabad-based laboratory, Research Centre Imarat (RCI), will soon develop a seeker that can work through the hottest desert temperatures. This will feature an improved Focal Plane Array (FPA), a detector on the missile tip that picks up the target’s infrared signal. Since the DRDO’s own FPA programme is still at an early stage, the Nag’s improved FPA will be supplied by French company, Sofradir. RCI will integrate Sofradir’s FPA into an improved Nag seeker.

But the Nag’s weight is turning out to be a problem. The army is unhappy that the missile has weighed in at 40 kilos, instead of the 30-35 kilos that the army had specified. This, senior officers say, makes reloading difficult. The DRDO has been asked to make the Nag lighter.

The DRDO, however, argues that weight should not be an issue since the Nag is carried on, and fired from, a vehicle, the NAMICA. Says Avinash Chander, “I don’t see why an extra 5 kg should be an issue. If the Nag were a man-portable, shoulder-fired missile, weight would be crucial. But we will bring the weight down gradually. The Mark II Nag will be about 35 kilos, and we will continue to reduce weight.

Indian Army and DRDO co-operate to boost tank-killer Nag missile

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 15 Jul 2012 10:04

Singha wrote:looking at the very high angle of reentry almost 90' this must have been a relatively elliptical short range test, to really stress the RV ?
must be a deliberate decision to release the RV footage....a message being sent out loud and clear.

Almost 90 deg reentry is one type to evade ABM defense. OTOH, is it not looks prepped for being a candidate for emulating ICBM type target for ABM shoots?

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 15 Jul 2012 10:37

^^^^^^
RE: The recent Agni 1 test depicted in the video earlier in this thread.....

The video clearly demonstrates that perfect control over the whole missile system including the RV, has been achieved; because they had the camera waiting right there at the correct point along the transect to film the detonation of the RV, which means everything survived the trip and went BANG when it was supposed to (at altitude, as if it were a nuke).