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National Defence and security is of prime importance for any Government or nation. National Defence
means the protection of a country against foreign invasion or aggression.
During the period of over 69 years of our countrys existence since Independence, there has been
many invasions and aggression. This also means that in spite of our countrys efforts to maintain peace
in the region, we have been forced to devote a great deal of thought to the necessity of National
Defence. We spend huge amount of money on strengthening defence, to protect ourselves from such
aggressions.
Missiles are capable of destroying any object/target at a designated point located at distant locations.
Hence they play an important role in defence of a nation. In the coming years there will be need for
comprehensive range of missiles against multiple threats. Thus there is need for indigenous missiles
in key areas of defence & it is necessary to equip the country with Missile Systems.
Introduction
History of Missile
The use of missiles dates back to the Vedic age in India. Indian warriors have used "Astras" as missiles
in various forms from that period in the subcontinent, proofs of which can be drawn from a number
of epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
In olden days, the Astra (a supernatural weapon) was controlled by Mantras (a sound, syllable, or
group of words that are considered capable of creating transformation) that could be correlated to
the mission control software of the modern day missiles.
Missile System
A missile is an intelligent unmanned rocket designed to carry the payload to a designated point with
an aim of destroying the object/target. The missile is designed keeping in mind its target, trajectory,
warhead, range, velocity and launch platform.
The major technologies/mechanisms used in a missile are:
Propulsion system
Guidance system
Aerodynamic features to include air frame, wings and fins
Terminal guidance in case of precision guided weapons
Warhead
Propulsion system : The propulsion system in a missile is required to achieve terminal conditions like
range, speed and warhead carrying capability. The missile is propelled either by rockets or jet engines
using solid or liquid fuel. Some missiles use hybrid technology for propelling it to its intended point.
Guidance system : The function of the guidance system is to maintain the missile in its desired flight
path by using altitude control mechanism. This is done by controlling the pitch, roll and yaw of the
weapon. The guidance system operates as an autopilot, damping out fluctuations that tend to deflect
the missile from its intended flight path.
In some missiles, the guidance commands are generated internally by the missiles computer. In
others, the commands are transmitted to the weapon by some external source.
Aerodynamic features : The aerodynamic features of a missile, also called controlling surfaces, are
used to control the missiles flight. The fins, wings and tail are the three major aerodynamic control
surfaces used to steer the missile. The missiles course can be altered by moving these controlling
surfaces.
Terminal Guidance : In case of precision weapons, the target seeker comes into picture when the
missile starts detecting its target. The mechanism also works to determine the time of activating the
warhead. After finding out the target, the device sends an electrical impulse to trigger the activation
system. The target seeker is based either on radar or infrared (IR) or laser devices.
Warhead : The warhead of a missile is selected keeping in mind its target type. It inflicts damage on
the target and hence determines the missiles lethality.
Classification of Missile
Missiles are generally classified on the basis of their Type, Launch Mode, Range, Propulsion, Warhead
and Guidance Systems.
Type:
Cruise Missile
Ballistic Missile
Launch Mode:
Surface-to-Surface Missile
Surface-to-Air Missile
Surface(Coast)-to-Sea Missile
Air-to-Air Missile
Air-to-Surface Missile
Sea-to-Sea Missile
Sea-to-Surface(Coast) Missile
Anti-Tank
Missile Range:
Propulsion:
Solid Propulsion
Liquid Propulsion
Hybrid Propulsion
Ramjet
Scramjet
Cryogenic
Warhead:
Conventional
Strategic
Guidance Systems:
Wire Guidance
Command Guidance
Terrain Comparison Guidance
Terrestrial Guidance
Inertial Guidance
Beam Rider Guidance
Laser Guidance
RF and GPS Reference
Cruise Missile: A cruise missile is an unmanned self-propelled (till the time of impact)
guided vehicle that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path and
whose primary mission is to place an ordnance or special payload on a target. They fly
within the earths atmosphere and use jet engine technology. These vehicles vary greatly
in their speed and ability to penetrate defences. Cruise missiles can be categorised by size,
speed (subsonic or supersonic), range and whether launched from land, air, surface ship
or submarine.
Ballistic Missile: A ballistic missile is a missile that has a ballistic trajectory over most of
its flight path, regardless of whether or not it is a weapon delivery vehicle. Ballistic missiles
are categorised according to their range, maximum distance measured along the surface
of earth's ellipsoid from the point of launch to the point of impact of the last element of
their payload. The missile carry a huge payload. Ballistic missiles can be launched from
ships and land based facilities. For example, Prithvi I, Prithvi II, Agni I, Agni II and Dhanush
ballistic missiles are currently operational in the Indian defence forces.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
via laser guidance, infrared guidance and optical guidance or via GPS signals. The type of
guidance depends on the type of target.
Sea-to-Sea Missile: A sea-to-sea missile is designed for launch from one ship to another
ship.
Sea-to-Surface (Coast) Missile: A sea-to-surface missile is designed for launch from ship
to land based targets.
Anti-Tank Missile: An anti-tank missile is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and
destroy heavily armoured tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles. Anti-tank missiles
could be launched from aircraft, helicopters, tanks and also from shoulder mounted
launcher.
oxidizer are pumped from the storage tanks to an expansion chamber and injected into the
combustion chamber where they are mixed and ignited by a flame or spark. The fuel expands
as it burns and the hot exhaust gases are directed out of the nozzle to provide thrust.
History of BrahMos
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was initiated in the year 1983. The
project was aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in missiles programme by developing and producing a
comprehensive range of missiles, including the intermediate range and short range ones.
However, after the Gulf War of 1990s, it was felt increasingly necessary to equip the country with a
cruise missile system. It was at that time when Indias decades old bonhomie with Russia, without
disturbing the unique balance in the Non-alignment policy, came to the forefront in developing the
new missile system.
As a result, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, former President of India, also a missile technologist, and N V
Mikhailov, Russias first Deputy Defence Minister, signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement in
Moscow on February 12, 1998. It paved the way for BrahMos Aerospace the joint venture entity
between Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russias NPO
Mashinostroyenia (NPOM).
The aim of the partnership was to design, develop, manufacture and market worlds only supersonic
cruise missile system BRAHMOS.
The first successful launch of BRAHMOS took place on June 12, 2001. The missile was test fired from
its land based launcher at the Interim Test Range off the Chandipur coast in Orissa.
The missile has undergone a number of test trials, meeting the requirements of its potential users.
The system is in service with the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
The missile has identical configuration for land, sea and subsea platforms and uses a Transport Launch
Canister (TLC) for transportation, storage and launch.
Special Features
Status
BRAHMOS is the first supersonic cruise missile known to be in service. Induction of the first version of
BRAHMOS Weapon Complex in the Indian Navy commenced from 2005 with INS Rajput as the first
ship. All future ships being built and ships coming for midlife upgradation will be fitted with the missile.
The Indian Army has also inducted three regiments of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile.
In Service
In Progress
The cannisterised missile is capable of being launched vertically from underwater and had been
successfully flight tested from a submerged platform. Deployment depends on the requirement of the
Indian Navy or navies of friendly countries.
The air launched version has been developed and has lesser weight and additional rear fins for
aerodynamic stability during separation from the aircraft during launch. The missile has gone through
complete cycle of ground trials.
Launch Platforms:
INS Rajput: INS Rajput is one of Indias frontline naval warships of destroyer class. The warship has
been installed with four BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles, two on each side in inclined
configuration in 2003.
INS Ranvir: INS Ranvir belongs to the Rajput class guided missile destroyers. On December 18, 2008,
the first launch of the supersonic cruise missile took place from this launch platform.
BRAHMOS has also been installed in number of front line warships of Indian Navy
be fired on three different targets or in a variety of other combinations near simultaneously. The land
based version is also equipped with Inertial Navigation System and Global Positioning System.
Launch Platform:
Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL) is a state-of-the-art Land based Weapon Complex. It consists of
three missiles in ready to launch configuration housed in containers, most modern means of
communications, Radar receivers for Target information, and an ultra advanced Fire Control System
for coordinating the launch.
Conclusion
India has come a long way since the launch of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme
(IGMDP) in the year 1983, which aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in missiles programme by
developing and producing a comprehensive range of missiles. Now India indigenously manufactures a
host of missiles, including the strategic Agni Series Ballistic Missiles, the tactical Prithvi, the Dhanush,
the Nirbhay Cruise Missile, the Akash and Trishul surface-to-air missiles and the Nag anti-tank guided
missile. Today, India is one of the few countries in the world to have indigenously developed missile
systems including critical technologies like the re-entry tip for ballistic missiles. India and Russia jointly
developed BRAHMOS, the worlds only supersonic cruise missile system. Now BrahMos Aerospace is
moving ahead with its hypersonic version BRAHMOS II. With the continuous efforts of defense
scientists, India can hope for more destructive missiles in its arsenal.