DRDO conducts successful flight-test of New Generation AKASH missile off Odisha coast

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Defence

Context:

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on January 12, 2024.

More on news:

The flight-test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude.
The successful development of the system will further enhance the air defense capabilities of the country.

Recent Flight Test:

During the flight-test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed.
It has been validated that the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of the missile with indigenously developed
- Radio Frequency Seeker, Launcher,
- Multi-Function Radar and Command and
- Control & Communication system.
The system performance was also validated through the data captured by a number of Radars, Telemetry and Electro Optical Tracking System deployed by ITR, Chandipur.

About AKASH- NG:

The AKASH-NG system is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high speed, agile aerial threats.
It is a surface-to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics.
This missile is a successor to the Akash and Akash-1S series of missiles with improvements such as a:
- Dual-pulse solid rocket motor,
- A canisterised launcher and
- An AESA Multifunction targeting radar
These improvements will help in improving its probability of kill with a smaller ground operations and logistics footprint.
Akash-NG will have an improved reaction time and higher level of protection against saturation attacks.

About AKASH Missile:

AKASH is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile System to protect vulnerable areas and points from air attacks.
Akash Weapon System (AWS) can simultaneously engage Multiple Targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode.
It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features.
It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).