DRDO to showcase Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile at R-Day Parade

This hypersonic missile follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory with hypersonic speeds starting at Mach 10 (multiples of speed of sound) and maintaining average Mach 5 with multiple skips. Indigenously developed sensors are provided for engaging the moving targets in the terminal phase, DRDO has said. As this missile flies in low altitude with high speed and manoeuvrability, enemy ground and ship based radars cannot detect it during most of its trajectory.

The ballistic missiles are a category of missiles that utilise projectile motion to deliver warheads. During their arched trajectories, the ballistic missiles are powered during their initial travel but later take a gravity driven path. The quasi ballistic missiles are a class of missiles that have low trajectory and take the ballistic trajectory but can change course and make maneuvers during the flight if required.

The LR-AShM is configured with a two stage solid propulsion rocket motor system. These propulsion systems boost the missile to the required hypersonic velocities. Stage-1 of the vehicle is separated after it is spent. After Stage-II burnout, the vehicle performs an unpowered glide with required manoeuvres in the atmosphere before engaging the target.

The DRDO tableau will be centred around the theme Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines and which will include indigenously developed technologies and systems which act as a force multiplier for conventional submarines of the Indian Navy. These systems are Integrated Combat Suite (ICS), Wire Guided Heavyweight Torpedo (WGHWT) and the critical Air Independent Propulsion which will ensure combat supremacy in the underwater domain.

The ICS is the new generation submarine-based defence system key for underwater warfare and anti-submarine operations and provides situational awareness by providing the threat visuals to make tactical decisions and actions like weapon selection, launch and guidance.

The WGHWT is a submarine-launched torpedo to counter contemporary ship and submarine threats in oceanic waters. The AIP is for long underwater endurance of submarines, thus enhancing stealth. It is powered by locally developed phosphoric acid fuel cells with a novel onboard hydrogen generator. The AIP system generates power using the phosphoric acid fuel cells by feeding hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell generated power, after conditioning is fed to the submarine power line and the submarine propels underwater silently, without making any noise.