The Hindu : Front Page : Two Akash missiles hit single target

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Thursday, Dec 20, 2007
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Two Akash missiles hit single target

T.S. Subramanian

CHENNAI: In a demonstration of the maturity of the Indian technology in the surface-to-air missile (SAM) defence system, two Akash missiles were fired on Wednesday from a mobile launcher at a single target, and this “ripple event” turned out to be a success, according to officials of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The trial is part of a 10-day campaign involving the firing of several Akash missiles with radars, launchers and support systems in the presence of the eventual user, the Indian Air Force.

The two missiles were fired from a truck at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, near Balasore, Orissa.

Prahlada, Chief Controller, Research and Development, DRDO, said from Chandipur: “Today, the IAF wanted us to fire two missiles against a single target to increase the probability of the kill. This [event] shows the capability of the radar, the supporting systems and the launcher to guide more than one missile against the same target. So we demonstrated it. It is a big milestone in the Akash system.” The target was a body towed by a pilot-less target aircraft.

Mr. Prahlada said: “We have not only demonstrated the missiles’ flight but also shown the functioning of the integrated air defence system. This will give the user confidence in the maturity of the Indian technology in the SAM defence system. This is an opportunity to break away from the imported systems. The system will be customised and perfected as per the user’s feedback.”

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