With the success of supersonic Brahmos cruise missiles, scientists are now planning to develop the hypersonic Brahmos-2 version, Brahmos Aerospace Chief Executive Officer and Chief Controller DRDO, A Sivathanu Pillai said on Thursday.Production of Brahmos-1 has started and objective is to produce multiple number of these missiles for the Army and Navy, Pillai said, delivering the "Prof.Satish Dhawan Memorial Lecture' organised in connection with the seminar on National Aerospace Manufacturing in Thiruvanathapuram."Brahmos is one of the best missiles in the world and we have exclusive brand for the product," he added.The role of the country's industry in space programmes is crucial and vital. For the production of Brahmos, he said MOU has been signed with 20 companies and arrangements made with 150 industries for the purchase of various components.Developing Smart Unmanned Combat Supersonic Stealth Aircraft, Reusable missile and Hypersonic Brahmos are some of the future programmes, he said.The Brahmos missile, with maximum range of 290 km, can be launched from submarines, naval ships, aircraft and land and is a joint venture of DRDO and Russian defence organisation.Speed,precision and power are the key concepts of modern war and the aim is to tune the country's resources to this, Pillai said.“After Light Combat Aircraft, the plan is to go for Medium Combat Aircraft and design is progressing,” he said.On the space programme, he said industry would have a vital role in 'Moon Mission', developing technology to launch large payload and more satellites.Space Tourism is another area that was fast developing under space programme projects.The need of the hour is close association of designers, users and manufacturers with focus on reducing production cost, he said.Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Director B N Suresh inaugurated the seminar.
