The Hindu : National : Nag may join Army soon

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Monday, Jul 06, 2009
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Nag may join Army soon

Y. Mallikarjun

HYDERABAD: With the third generation anti-tank Nag missile proving its lethality in the final user trials being conducted in the deserts of Rajasthan, a top DRDO scientist has expressed optimism about its induction into the Army soon.

The Army, which conducted winter trials of the missile’s land version in December, began summer trials this week.

V. K. Saraswat, Chief Controller, R&D (missiles and strategic systems), Defence Research and Development Organisation, The Hindu that Nag was a “very potent weapon system with high reliability in performance and damage.”

With the all-weather system proving its capability in the latest round of trials, he hoped that its production and induction would begin by year-end.

Hit-to-kill missile

The hit-to-kill missile, designed to take a unique trajectory resembling that of a moving cobra, smashed stationary targets (derelict tanks) in the four flight tests held till Thursday. While two targets were of medium range, one each was of shorter and longer range (four km). Using an Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) seeker, the missile, with fire-and-forget capability, caused extensive damage to the targets.

Dr. Saraswat said the missile’s “top attack capability” would enable it to defeat the latest generation of tank armour by providing deep penetration, even if the thickness was more than a metre.

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