DRDO8217;s advanced rocket system to counter F-16s

PUNE, June 3: Advancing one more step after its highly advanced Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system, the Pune-based Armament Research...

PUNE, June 3: Advancing one more step after its highly advanced Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system, the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment ARDE has now developed a high performance artillery rocket system which can fire within a range between 70 km to 100 km.

This is a highly sophisticated quot;shoot-and-scootquot; high mobility system capable of firing a salvo of 12 rockets, each with a payload of 100 kg within a time span of 30 seconds. Highly placed sources told The Indian Express that ARDE has identified certain thrust areas including the artillery rocket system with the long term aim of making the nation independent of foreign technology in critical defence technology spheres, and the immediate object of countering the threat of Pakistan8217;s F-16 bombers.

ARDE is one of the 48-odd premier DRDO laboratories engaged in the designing of defence equipment for the armed forces, with the INSAS small ammunition gun systems being the latest feather in its cap. Again, incontrast to Pinaka which will shortly complete user trials and enter into service shortly, the latest artillery system comprises of an advanced family of warheads including terminally guided submunitions with autonomous target search and engagement capability besides remotely delivered intelligent bomblets and mini-lets with self-neutralising capability.

A high performance family of All Weather Towed and Self Propelled Air Defence AD Gun System is also on the cards to complement the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO surface-to-air AD missile systems such as Trishul, Akash.

According to officials, the new AD gun will be a world-class gadget with twin-gun cyclic rate of fire of 2000 rounds per minute aimed to engage and neutralise high speed aircraft, helicopters, remote-piloted combat air vehicles and stand-off weapons during an attack. The integrated gun system, being developed with the Pak F-16s in mind, is expected to have all weather day-night operations with on-mount passive suiteof electro-optic sensors like laser range finders, forward looking infra-red FLIR, thermal imaging systems and low-light level TV, for tracking and engaging fast flying targets by means of a high precision computerised digital servo control system.