India’s indigenous aircraft carrier 1 (IAC 1) INS Vikrant will soon be getting air defense cover from the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) system after the Indian Navy started integration work of the missile system onboard INS Vikrant Indian eletimes reported.
INS Vikrant will also be getting DRDO developed Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) that will supplement the LRSAM system for intercepting aerial threats to the aircraft carrier.
INS Vikrant successfully passed basin trials last year and the Indian Navy is about to commence Sea Trials. In basin trials, all four Gas Turbines, main engines, and the Power Generation Systems comprising of eight Diesel Alternators were fired up for the first time that proved the propulsion, transmission, and shafting systems.
LRSAM (Barak-8ER)
Barak 8 also known as LR-SAM is an Indo-Israeli surface-to-air missile (SAM), designed to defend against any type of airborne threat including aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, and UAVs as well as ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and combat jets. Both maritime and land-based variants of the system exist.
Barak 8 was jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Israel’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure, Elta Systems, Rafael, and other companies. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) produces the missiles.
Specifications
| Mass | 275 kg (606 lb) |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.5 m (180 in) |
| Diameter | 0.54 m (1 ft 9 in) |
| Detonation mechanism | Proximity (60 kg warhead) |
| Engine | Two-stage, smokeless pulsed rocket motor |
| Wingspan | 0.94 m (3 ft 1 in) |
| Operational range | 0.5–100 and 150 km (0.31–62.14 and 93.21 mi) |
| Flight ceiling | 16 and 30 km (9.9 and 18.6 mi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2 (680 m/s) |
| Guidance system | Two-way data link Active RF/IIR seeker |
| Launch platform | 8 cell VLS module 8 cell, double stacked land launcher |
An ER (extended range) variant of the Barak 8 is under development, which will see the missile’s maximum range increased to 150 km. Designed to engage multiple beyond visual range threats, the low launch signature Barak-8ER is understood to retain the same autopilot/inertial navigation system and active radar seeker guidance as to the Barak-8, although some modifications to the software and to the missile control surfaces are likely.
VL-SRSAM
The Vertical Launch – Short Range Surface to Air Missile, or VL-SRSAM is a quick reaction surface-to-air missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It features mid-course inertial guidance through fiber optic gyroscope and active radar homing in terminal phase. The missile features a mid-course update via datalink for lock-on before launch (LOBL) and lock on after launch capability (LOAL). VL-SRSAM is capable of being vertically launched from naval platforms of the Indian Navy. It is intended to replace older Barak-1 surface to air missile system onboard Indian Navy warships. VL-SRSAM will be used as short range air defence system for Indian navy and Indian Air Force.
Specifications
| Warhead | High-explosive pre-fragmented HMX/PU |
|---|---|
| Engine | Smokeless solid-propellant rocket motor |
| Propellant | Solid fuel |
| Operational range | 40 km (25 mi) – 50 km (31 mi) |
| Guidance system | Mid-course: Fibre-optic gyro-based inertial navigation system with mid-course update via datalink. Terminal: Active radar homing |
| Launch platform | Surface Ship |
Check out Naval Library App to find out the specifications of the missiles.
