DRDO to Showcase Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile at Republic Day Parade

DRDO to Showcase Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile at Republic Day Parade

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced that the highlight of its display at the 77th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path will be the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM). This indigenous missile system is designed to meet the coastal battery requirements of the Indian Navy, marking a significant advancement in India's defense capabilities.

Advanced Hypersonic Capabilities

The LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile capable of engaging both static and moving targets with various payloads. It follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, achieving hypersonic speeds starting at Mach 10 and maintaining an average of Mach 5 with multiple skips during flight. This unique flight pattern, combined with indigenous avionics and high-accuracy sensor packages, enhances its effectiveness in terminal phases.

Key features of the missile include:

• Low-altitude flight with high speed and maneuverability, making it difficult for enemy ground and ship-based radars to detect.
• A two-stage solid propulsion rocket motor system that boosts the missile to required hypersonic velocities.
• After Stage-II burnout, the vehicle performs an unpowered glide with necessary maneuvers in the atmosphere before engaging the target.

Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines

In addition to the LR-AShM, the DRDO tableau will focus on the theme Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines. This display will feature indigenously developed systems that act as force multipliers for the Indian Navy's conventional submarines.

The showcased technologies include:

1. Integrated Combat Suite (ICS): A new-generation submarine-based defense system crucial for underwater warfare and anti-submarine operations. It provides situational awareness by offering threat visuals to aid in tactical decisions, such as weapon selection, launch, and guidance.
2. Wire Guided Heavyweight Torpedo (WGHWT): A submarine-launched torpedo designed to counter contemporary ship and submarine threats in oceanic waters.
3. Air Independent Propulsion (AIP): A critical system for long underwater endurance of submarines, enhancing stealth. It is powered by locally developed phosphoric acid fuel cells with a novel onboard hydrogen generator, generating power silently without noise.

Strategic Implications

The development of the LR-AShM and associated naval technologies underscores India's commitment to self-reliance in defense. The missile's quasi-ballistic trajectory allows it to change course and maneuver during flight, providing a tactical advantage over traditional ballistic missiles that follow gravity-driven paths. This capability, combined with indigenous sensors, ensures precision in engaging moving targets, bolstering India's coastal defense strategy.

As India prepares to celebrate its 77th Republic Day, these advancements highlight the nation's growing prowess in hypersonic and naval technologies, positioning it as a key player in global defense innovation.