Akash missile

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Akash Missile

Akash (Sanskrit for Sky, sometimes spelt Aakash) is under development as part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program and DRDO to achieve self-sufficiency in the area of surface-to-air missiles.

Contents

1 Concept
2 Missile
3 Radar
4 Tests and Deplyoment
5 See also
6 External links

Concept

The missile is based heavily on the SA-6 and is claimed that Rajendra is similar to the 30N6 Flap-Lid B engagement radar, used by the S-300 ATBM system. The Akash's first flight occurred in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997. Operational tests and evaluations are currently ongoing and the missile is expected to enter service with the army and air force only in 2003. Officials have said that the missile will also undergo user trials with the Army for integration with the S-300PMU-1 anti-tactical ballistic missile systems, of which the Army has purchased an unspecified number, as well as with AEW aircraft. Plans exist for a navalised version in VLS mode.

Missile

Akash is a mobile area defense medium-range 27-30 km SAM, and can engage targets from treetop level to 18,000 meters. The missile weights 700kg, and power by a solid rocket booster stage, followed by a Ramjet engine. The warhead with a lethal radius of 20 meters, weights 60kg. The missile has a terminal guidance system capable of working through electronic countermeasures.
Design of the missile is much similar to SA-6 with four long tube ramjet inlet ducts mounted mid-body between wings.For pitch/yaw control Four clipped triangular moving wings are mouted on mid-body.For Roll Control four inline clipped delta fins with ailerons are mounted on Forward of the tail.

Radar

The missile system’s fire control radar is a multi-target and multi-function phased array radar called 'Rajendra' with a range of about 60km.

Tests and Deplyoment

It is being developed further to increase its speed, altitude and range to 60km.
The missile system has been through several trials at the Interim Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Orissa, and had, until recently, only met with moderate success. In November 2004, however, trials conducted with a live warhead and active terminal radar navigation achieved repeatable performance against test targets. In 2005, the Akash underwent systems and integration testing, firing a target drones, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, India.

External links

[Bharat Rakshak]