Development of guided missiles in India

Aashish

Aashish

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Source - Taken this article from Eye On Defence July 2017 edition from E&Y

Its a wonderful article and covers a lot of things

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Introduction
The importance of guided missiles to the armed forces has significantly increased considering that they are now extensively used in land, sea and air warfare. Ranging from midgets such as shoulder-fired weapons to giants such as the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), they are used in a multitude of roles. Guided missiles are classified according to their type, launch mode, warhead, guidance systems, range and propulsion system.



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The speed capability of guided missiles is expressed in Mach numbers. A Mach number is the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the medium through which the object is moving. Under standard atmospheric conditions, sonic is about 766 miles per hour (Mach 1.0). Guided missiles are classified according to their speed as
shown below:
• Subsonic: Up to Mach 0.8
• Transonic: Mach 0.8 to Mach 1.2
• Supersonic: Mach 1.2 to Mach 5.0
• Hypersonic: Above Mach 5.0

Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)

The IGMDP was initiated under the guidance of Dr. Abdul Kalam, as the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) Director in 1983. Initially four projects were to be pursued concurrently under the IGMDP:

• Short Range Surface-to-Surface Missile (Prithvi)
• Short Range Low-Level Surface-to-Air Missile (Trishul)
• Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (Akash)
• Third-Generation Anti-Tank Missile (Nag)

The Agni missile was initially conceived in the IGMDP as a technology demonstrator project in the form of a re-entry vehicle, and was later upgraded to a ballistic missile with different ranges. As part of this program, the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Balasore in Orissa was also developed for missile testing.
 
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Prithvi missile
The importance of guided missiles to the armed forces has significantly increased considering that they are now extensively used in land, sea and air warfare. Ranging from midgets such as shoulder-fired weapons to giants such as the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), they are used in multitude of roles. Guided missiles are classified according to their type, launch mode, warhead, guidance systems,
range and propulsion system.

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The Prithvi missile (India’s first indigenously developed ballistic missiles) is a family of liquid fuel based tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM). It is under the operational control of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). The broad parameters of the missile are as under:


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Prithvi-I is now not in operational use. Some of these missiles were modified and deployed as target missile during various flight trials of the Programme Air Defence (PGAD) of DRDO
 
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Trishul missile
Trishul missile had a range of 12 km and were fitted with a 5.5 kg warhead. It was designed to be used against low-level (sea skimming) targets at short range. The system had been developed to defend naval vessels against missiles and also as a short-range surface-to-air missile on land. The project was shut down in February 2008 because of its inability to meet the operational requirements and shortfall in
performance as against its stated design parameters. It was de-linked from user service and projected as a technology demonstrator.

Akash missile
Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) with an intercept range of 30 km. It has a launch weight of 720 kg, a diameter of 35 cm and is 5.8 meters long with a speed of around Mach 2.5. It can reach an altitude of 18 km. The missile has a terminal guidance system capable of working through electronic countermeasures. The entire Akash SAM system allows for attacking multiple targets (up to 4
per battery). The Akash missile’s use of ramjet propulsion system allows it to maintain its speed without deceleration. The missile is supported by a multi-target and multi-function phased array fire control radar called the “Rajendra” with a range of about 80 km in search (60 km in terms of engagement).

Nag missile
Nag is a third generation, all-weather, top attack “fireand- forget” anti-tank missile, with a range of 3 km to 7 km. Nag can be mounted on an infantry vehicle, while a helicopter-launch version named “Helina” is also planned for integration with the HAL Dhruv helicopter. The Indian Army has conducted repeated test firings and user trials but is yet to give the go ahead for its induction into service.

Beyond IGMDP
In January 2008, consequent to completion of IGMDP, the focus shifted toward the development of long-range strategic missiles, capable of delivering nuclear warheads. Creation of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), a triservice command, exclusively for managing the strategic resources in terms of nuclear warfare, has given further impetus to this effort.
 
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BrahMos missile
This missile, with supersonic speeds of Mach 2.8—3.0, is a joint venture production between the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroeyenia and India’s DRDO, who have together formed BrahMos Aerospace (named after the Bhramaputra and Moskva river). The basic missile design is based on the Russian P-800 Oniks cruise missile and other similar sea-skimming Russian cruise missile technology

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The missile has identical configuration for land, sea and sub-sea level platforms and uses a Transport Launch Canister (TLC) for transportation, storage and launch.

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The land-launched and ship-launched versions are already in service, with the air- and submarine-launched versions currently in the testing phase. A hypersonic version of the missile is also currently under development with speed of Mach 7—8 to boost aerial fast strike capability. Its propulsion
is based on the Russian missile, and missile guidance has been developed by BrahMos Aerospace

BrahMos — air-launched variant
The purchase of over 200 air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the IAF was cleared by Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on 19 October 2012, at the cost of INR60 billion (US$932 million). This included funds for the integration and testing of the BrahMos on Su-30MKI of the IAF. A demonstration flight was carried out at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Nasik on 25 June 2016, where a modified Su-30MKI carrying BrahMos-A underwent a successful trial flight. This was the first time a heavyweight supersonic cruise missile had been integrated on a long-range fighter aircraft.

Extended range: In 2016, as India became a member of the MTCR, India and Russia are now planning to jointly develop a new generation of BrahMos missiles with a 600 km-plus range and an ability to hit protected targets with pinpoint accuracy. The upgrade will be applied to all existing BrahMos missiles. India conducted the maiden test firing of the extended-range variant of the BrahMos missile on 11 March 2017.

BrahMos NG missile
BrahMos NG (Next Generation) is a mini version of the existing BrahMos, with a 290 km range and Mach 3.5 speed. The missile weighs ~1.5 tons and is 5 meters in length, making it 50% lighter and three meters shorter than its predecessor. BrahMos NG will have lesser RCS (Radar Cross Section) compared to its predecessor, making it harder for air defence systems to locate and engage the target. BrahMos NG will have land, air, shipborne and submarine tube launched variants.

The flight tests are expected to take place this year. The missile will arm the Sukhoi Su30MKI, Mikoyan MiG29K, HAL Tejas and future inductions such as the Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi and possibly the Mikoyan MiG35. The Sukhoi SU30MKI would carry three missiles, while the other fighter aircraft would carry one each. The submarine-launched variant will be capable of being fired from the new P75I class of submarines.
 
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K missile series
The K family of missiles includes the following:

• K-15 (renamed as B-05): An SLBM version of the Shaurya missile, the K-15 with a ~1,000 km range, will be integrated with the Arihant class submarine India’s DRDL designed and developed the missile, while Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) developed the motors and propulsion systems.

• K-4: Developed by India’s DRDO, the K-4 will have a ~3,500 km range and be an intermediate range SLBM. It is expected to arm the INS Arihant, which has the capability to carry 4 K-4s while the upcoming planned SSBNs would be able to carry 8 K-4s. The missile is powered by solid rocket propellants and is currently
undergoing technical trials followed by development trials in 2018.

• K-5: This is another missile in the K-family developed by India to boost its second-strike capabilities. The missile is expected to have a range of ~5,000 km carrying a 2-tonne payload, which can carry four multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) warheads of 500 kg each.
 
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Astra missiles
• Astra is an active radar homing beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes, allowing for engagement of both short-range targets (up to 20 km) and long-range targets (up to 80 km) using alternative propulsion modes. The missile uses a solid fuel propellant called hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). The warhead is a 15 kg HE, which is activated by a proximity fuse. The missile’s maximum speed is Mach 4 and can attain a maximum altitude of 20 km

Nirbhay missiles
• India is said to be in the intermediate stages of developing a new cruise missile, Nirbhay . The subsonic
Nirbhay is reportedly 6 m in length with a 520 mm diameter. It weighs 1,000 kg and has a 1,000 km range with a speed of 0.7 Mach. The missile has met with one success but three failures during tests in the past 5 years. The fifth test scheduled for 31 May 2017 was deferred due to a technical snag.
 
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Industry participation
Missile systems comprise two distinct components: (1) airborne and (2) ground systems. Each category comprises exclusive/non-exclusive range of products, most of which are indigenous.

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At present, the role of the private industry is restricted to the supply of a broad and generic list of products to missile programs. The missile hardware items that are indigenously developed are manufactured by private companies, including M/s Godrej, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Astra Microsystems, Vako Seals, Graphite India, Resins & Allied Products, Rachamallu Forgings, Data Patterns, Dantal Hydraulics, Analogic Controls, Godrej Boyce, MTAR Technologies, VEM Technologies, Jindal Steel &Power, Hitec Energy Batteries, Premier Explosives, Centum Electronics, Apollo Microsystems and SEC Industries. Defence PSUs such as BDL, HAL, BEL, ECIL, BEML and Ordinance Factory Board (OFB) are major system integrators.

With various categories of guided missiles currently under indigenous development and production, there is ample scope for the participation of the private industry to manufacture and supply sub-systems and components. The private industry is now able to develop and manufacture complete systems in accordance with project specifications mostly based on MIL/international standards. It can play
a major role in the indigenous development of critical technologies related to control systems, power supply systems, futuristic navigation sensors and systems and other missile-related technologies.
 
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Export
The intergovernmental agreement between India and Russia to develop the BrahMos stipulates that both countries would have to approve an export sale. India and Russia intend to make 2,000 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles over the next 10 years through their joint venture company, and nearly 50% of them are expected to be exported to friendly countries that have expressed interest in the missile, such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Africa, Egypt, Oman and Brunei. Southeast Asian and Latin American countries have also expressed interest in the system, with particular interest in the naval and coastal defence versions. The APAC nation would be a friendly nation that neither Russia nor India has any conflicts with

New technologies
There is also a need to continuously enhance the performance of our missile systems through induction of new technologies.

Some of the recent technological achievements by DRDO laboratories in the domain are:

• Quick response solenoid valve (QRSV) based on switched magneto motive force (S-MMF) technology with fast response time and reduced weight has been developed. This will be useful for reaction control systems (RCS) and velocity trimming packages (VTP) of strategic and air defence missiles.

• Beam switching antenna for secure bi-directional data link is being developed.

• A high accuracy force feedback pendulous accelerometer using quartz material as pendulum is being developed. The accelerometer can be used for long-range missiles.

• A high-resolution seeker has been developed for antitank application with a 4 km range and a lock on before launch feature.

• Lethality enhanced proximity fuze has been designed for air-target intercept systems that detect the range and velocity of incoming target with high resolution
 
Missile procurements

Israel: The “missile country” for India
The growing Israel—India defence cooperation is reflected in the recent deals for procurement of missiles

Barak: In April 2017, India approved the procurement of 100 Barak surface-to-air missiles for the Navy for around ~US$130 million from Israel’s Rafael Advance Defense Systems Limited, under the “Buy (Global)” category. The Barak SAM can be used to track and shoot down rival subsonic and supersonic missiles, fighter aircraft, maritime patrolling aircraft, helicopters and sea skimming missiles.

• MRSAM: India approved the procurement of 40 units of Medium Range Surface to Air Defence Missile
(MRSAM) systems from Israel for the Indian Army, for ~US$2.5 billion. The first deliveries are expected in 2023. The system is being jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and DRDO. It has a range of 50—70 km.

• LRSAM: India approved the procurement of Long Range Surface to Air Defence Missile systems (LRSAM) from Israel for the Indian Navy, in a US$630 million contract. The LRSAM is under joint development by IAI and DRDO in collaboration with Israel’s ELTA and Rafael and various India private companies, with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as the prime contractor.

Each system comprises at least one launcher carrying 8 missiles. The Indian Navy intends to equip its four Kolkata class destroyers with the LRSAMs. BEL is also looking to sign a contract by the end of
2018 for another 7 LRSAMs to equip its P-17A stealth frigates. The Navy plans to procure a total of 12
LRSAMs for ~US$2 billion.

• QRSAM: India recently carried out a test firing of its SPYDER Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile
(QRSAM), procured under a 2008 contract for 18 units worth ~US$1 billion, which was delayed due to the unavailability of Tatra trucks. The defence system that comprises two missiles — Python and Derby — has a strike range of 15 km in low altitude.

Reflective of the growing ties between the two countries, Israel is set to overtake the US as India’s
largest arms supplier for FY17.

Conclusion
The Government’s endeavor is to adopt new technologies and make Indian missiles among the powerful missiles of the world. This is a challenging task and requires a concerted effort by all the stakeholders. The joint production efforts by DRDO and other private Indian companies are a step in the right direction.
 
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I remember there was concept of PAD (Prithvi Air defence) was supposed to be anti ballistic missile defence missile, Is that project closed down or did I miss something?
 
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SAM

QRSAM = Around 200-300kg missile with RF seeker
MRSAM – Akash, Akash-NG, Barak-8
Long range SAM- XRSAM There were interviews by Avinash Chandra that DRDO is looking at 300km range SAM but thereafter no info.

AAM

WVR – Nil
BVR – Astra 1, 2 and Ramjet Astra
VLRAAM - There were interviews by Avinash Chandra that DRDO is looking at 300km range AAM but thereafter no info.

ATGM

MANPAD – Jasmine, SAMHO, DRDO-VEL-BDL MPATGM
Medium – Nag
Long- SANT
Tank Launched - CLGM
Air launched – HeliNa

Air to Ground

Brahmos, Mini Brahmos, Hypersonic Brahmos
Nirbhary and its smaller variants
NG-ARM
SAAW 120kg, NGLGB 250-450kg, Glide Bombs 1000kg
Air launched – Helina
Missing Category – Mid ranged missile in category of Kh-25/29/38

Ground to Ground

Pinaka-1,2,3
Prahaar, Pragati
Prithivi 1, 2, Pralaay
Agni Series
Sagrika, Shaurya Series
Brahmos,
Nirbhary

Arudhra, Ashvani, Netra, Uttam, Swati

SSMs
Prithvi, 100-250km range, liquid fuelled
• Prithvi -1/2/3 - all in service
• Naval variant: Dhanush, 350km- Navy - in service

Agni: Have MaRVs, MIRV & countermeasures in development
• 1/2/3/4 - in production/deployed
• 5 - development, trials successful, 5000 km version. SFC user trials pending.
• MIRV development in progress.

K-series/SLBM
• SLBM/B-05: 700 Km range, developed, test bed for K-4 technologies for Arihant
• SLBM/K-4, 3500 km range: test fired from Arihant, presumably deployed. Also the base missile for S3, S4, S4*

Prahaar/Strike SSM
• 150 km, 200 kg warhead missile to "bridge the gap" between the conventional Pinaka MRLS at 40 km range, to the Prithvi which has a range of 250km to 300 km. Being tweaked for the Army, and awaiting formal Army indent. Stated to have datalinked guidance and will hence be more cost effective/precise than "dumb" missiles. Six missiles can be launched at different targets. Developed from the AAD design of the BMD program.
• Orders not placed as of yet

Pralay/Strike SSM
• Sanctioned in 2015
• Solid fuel, derived from PDV BMD missile, can strike 500km with 800kg payload
• 10m CEP
• Intended to supplement Brahmos with a low cost flexible strike option for the Army

Brahmos:
• Blocks1/2/3 all developed. Block 3 for Navy & Army allows top attack & seeker discrimination of specific targets. In production.
• AF: Development underway; IAF has ordered 200+ missiles for 40+ Su-30 MKI. Two trials aircraft sent for modification. Special MKIs need to be structurally modified for carrying a single Brahmos on centerline.
• Mini-Brahmos: In development to allow upto 3 Brahmos per Su-30 MKI and also Brahmos carriage by MRCA class aircraft
• Brahmos 2: In development with Russia for hypersonic Brahmos.
• Seeker indigenization in progress: Two programs - one for advanced seeker & another for current programs. Both seekers can be used across Indian programs.
• 450km version test fired, 900 version next. All Brahmos missiles will be modified to new standard. Changes required for 450km version "today: software changes to the fire control system and mission computer, and miniaturisation of some hardware elements in the propulsion system."

Nuclear deterrent:
• ALA: Air Launched Article, 200km, nuclear missile for Su-30 force. In development

Cruise Missiles:
• LRCM: Ramjet equipped long range cruise missile for all three services, in development, 700km-1000 km range
• Nirbhay: Subsonic, stealthy 1000km+ missile for all three services, multiple tests. First 2 successful, next 2 unsucessful. Focus on suppliers before retrial. Basic design not to be changed. Also, seeker & propulsion indigenization underway.

BMD:
• Phase 1: PDV & AAD ready for deployment. GOI has given go-ahead and preparation underway.
• Phase 2: For Target Missiles > 2000 km class, in development. AD-1 and AD-2, hypersonic missiles

ATGM/ General purpose:
Nag
• Army land version version under refinement, 4 km range. Block1 seeker in production at BDL, Block 2 developed for better performance in Indian deserts @ afternoon. Tests in 2017. Army orders still awaited.
• Helicopter version @7km, called HELINA, in development. Further variants for fixed wing strike aircraft under development.
• SANT is a 12km-range version of the HELINA for which a microwave RF seeker is under development.

SAMHO/CLGM
• Semiactive laser guided missile similar to the LAHAT. Intended for launch by both ground launchers and tanks. In advanced development, probably in trials as prototypes have been displayed already for couple of years now. Finally, alternative available to Milan/Konkurs as well.
MPATGM
• New program to field an advanced ATGM, similar to the Javelin. In advanced development, tenders placed for specific subsystems. BDL to be partner for manufacturing.

ASM:
• NGARM: New program announced in 2012; in advanced development, trials to be conducted in 2017-18. Dual-stage (DRDO leveraging LRSAM/MRSAM motor knowledge), solid fuelled with 100 km range. Also includes a MMW seeker (for terminal targeting presumably)
• Name unknown: Missile with multiple precision guided warheads, range of 200 km for platform. UAVs variants also being explored to "launch PGMs" and then be recovered for cost effectiveness. Tech demo in 2013, with tests of a configured missile in 2015-16.
• Name unknown: Light antiship missile for naval helicopters: In development, unknown if a formal program is being launched.
• HSTDV: Hypersonic Tech demo program to develop indigenous hypersonic capability independent from Brahmos program, flight trials details awaited
• SAAW - Smart Anti Airfield Weapon: Successfully tested for AF, advanced stage of development. 120kg, penetrator warhead, 100km range, intended for Jaguar, Su-30 MKI and will be extended to Rafale. Winged system. Tested from Jaguar and Su30MKI successfully in 2016. Unknown if it has a propulsion system

SAMs:
• SRSAM: Deal with MBDA for codevelopment yet to be signed, likely stalled given QRSAM progress; reports note range is now 20 km with negotiations concluded with MBDA, only GOI clearance awaited. Trishul development complete but system wont be inducted.
• LRSAM/MRSAM with Israel: LRSAM versions in induction, range likely 90 km (rather than originally expected 70km). Motor, missile components, C3I & TELs from India for LRSAM/MRSAM. LRSAM is for Navy and is on order as is MRSAM for IAF, which wants 9 squadrons with 2 fire units each. Radars will likely be imported with some subsystems (eg TX/RX modules) license made in India & complete set up and calibration done at BEL. IA has also been cleared to ordered five regiments, IA Akash regiments have upto 6 firing units (3 times IAF size). MRSAM IA regiments are stated to have 40 firing units (8 per regiment).
• Akash: MK1 development complete, in production (8 Sq for AF, two regiments for Army); 8 squadron order pending on price negotiation with BEL.
Akash NG in development, active seekers, 50km range with 10 targets engage. MK1S program in development, technology insertion for Akash Mk1 program with active seekers. Tested with new seekers.
• New SAM: New design, with range of 150km. Status unknown.
• QRSAM: New Astra/Trishul/LRSAM technology derived missile with all new configuration (AESA FCR/SR on Trucks for mobility). 30km range, multi-target handling, fire on short stop, track while move. Meant for IA needs but derivative likely for Navy as SRSAM.

AAMs:
• Astra: MK1 variant was to have Range max of 80 km, MK2 of 110 km. Missile was redesigned in 2010-12 and underwent series of trials in 2012, with problems stated to be resolved and complete redesign done. Range now suggested as 100 km+, but remains to be confirmed. Original range specifications were 80 km in head on & 20 km in tail chase. Amongst other new capabilities mentioned are buddy launch, LOBL and HOBs capability (+/-45 degrees). Reports mention seeker integration challenges have been overcome, with new info stating ", improved multitarget handling and excellent ECCM". Trials with Russian seeker complete in 2016-17, IAF has placed LSP of 50 units for production stabilization at BDL. Next trials with new Indian seeker underway.
• Ramjet program underway. In cooperation with Russian, can either be the basis of a new Meteor class AAM or new SAMs.

MLRS:
• Pinaka Mk1: 40km, developed and in production, teething issues with ramping up numbers being resolved. OFB issues with ammunition basically. 2 regiments in service, 2 ordered in 2016. MOD has floated RFP for 6 more regiments. Order may be split between Mk2
• Pinaka MK2: 60 KM range, several successful trials. Guided & extended range.

PGMs:
• LGB: Sudarshan MK1 for AF. Range of 9 km. Project cancelled. Sudarshan MK2 with INS/satnav in development, 50 km range noted in 2012, new design will seek to minimize rolling observed with MK1. Status, unknown.
• Garuda/Garuthma programs: Seeker, satnav, equipped basic JDAM equivalent with 30 km range. Garuthma is the winged version with 100km range. Trialed, in development. IAF orders expected.
• Lightweight PGM program: RCI program. Sathish Reddy: "PGM has already been test-fired from an unmanned aerial vehicle and a sizeable number can also be carried by a missile like the Prithvi or by an aircraft like the Su-30 MKI. The Prithvi configuration can be used for attacking runways for example. "
Will have MMW seeker developed, also being used for NGARM
 
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