TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: India has successfully test-fired the RudraM-II air-to-surface missile from an SU-30MKI aircraft off the coast of Odisha.
EXPLANATION:
- This achievement marks a significant milestone in India’s defense capabilities, showcasing advancements in indigenously developed military technology.
- The test was conducted on May 29, at approximately 1130 hours.
- The missile was launched from a Su-30 MKI jet off the coast of Odisha.
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) spearheaded the flight test, with significant support and coordination from the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- The flight test met all predetermined trial objectives.
- This included validating the missile’s propulsion system as well as its control and guidance algorithms.
- The missile’s performance was assessed and confirmed through data captured by various range tracking instruments.
- A range of instruments was deployed to track and gather data on the missile’s performance:
- Electro-optical systems
- Radar
- Telemetry stations
- These instruments were strategically positioned at various locations, including an onboard ship, by the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.
RudraM-II
- RudraM-II is a solid-propelled, air-launched missile system.
- It has been developed indigenously by DRDO.
- It is designed for air-to-surface roles to neutralize various types of enemy assets.
- It is designed to have a strike range of almost 350-km, from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter of the IAF.
- The missile incorporates several state-of-the-art technologies developed by different DRDO laboratories.
- The successful flight test validated:
- The propulsion system
- Control mechanisms
- Guidance algorithms
- These validations are crucial for ensuring the missile’s reliability and effectiveness in operational scenarios.
RudraM series:
- The Rudram is a series of supersonic and hypersonic air-to-surface ground attack and anti-radiation missiles in development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India.
- It can be launched from a range of altitudes with large standoff distance for destroying enemy surveillance radars, communication stations and bunkers.
- It will be manufactured jointly by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited after trials and introduction.
- DRDO also involved Adani Defence and Aerospace under Development cum Production Partner programme for mass production.
- The hypersonic variant Rudram-2 will also be manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace in their Hyderabad facility.