Designed and developed by DRDO, the NASM-SR is an advanced short-range anti-ship missile, aimed to replace existing foreign-made anti-ship missile currently being used by the Indian Navy on its Seaking helicopters.
In a major boost to India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully test-fired the indigenously-built Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR). The advanced anti-ship missile struck its target with pinpoint precision after it was launched from a Seaking 42B helicopter at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, on February 25, according to officials.
NASM-SR capabilities
Designed and developed by DRDO, the NASM-SR is aimed to replace existing foreign-made anti-ship missile currently being used by the Indian Navy on its Seaking helicopters. The indigenous missile boasts a maximum range of over 50 km, and employs the sea- skimming mode during flight, keeping close to the surface of the water to avoid detection by radar systems.
Additionally, the advanced missile features the “Man-in-Loop” capability, allowing a human operator to course-correct the NASM-SR in mid-flight. A high-bandwidth two-way data link transmits live seeker images back to the pilot, who can then retarget if required.
Can strike ‘hidden’ targets
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), said the missile was launched in “Bearing-only Lock-on” mode, initially locking onto a large target before being redirected to a smaller, hidden one.
“The missile initially locked on to a large target within a specified zone of search and during the terminal phase, the pilot selected a smaller hidden target resulting in its being hit with pinpoint accuracy,” the MoD said.
According to details, the indigenous missile is equipped with an Imaging Infra-Red Seeker for terminal guidance and a Fibre Optic Gyroscope-based Inertial Navigation System for mid-course corrections. The NASM-SR is powered by a solid propulsion system with an in-line ejectable booster and a long-burn sustainer.
“The missile uses an indigenous Fiber Optic Gyroscope-based Inertial Navigation System and Radio Altimeter for its Mid- course guidance, an Integrated avionics module, Electro-Mechanical actuators for Aerodynamic and Jet vane control, thermal batteries and Printed Circuit Board warhead,” the MoD statement revealed.
Major leap in indigenous defence technology
As per the statement, the NASM-SR missile, which had its maiden flight in May 2022, has been jointly developed by DRDO’s Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Pune-based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, and Chandigarh-based Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory.
Hailing the successful test flight, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed it a major leap forward in achieving self-reliance in defence technology. “The tests for Man-in-Loop features is unique as it gives the capability of in-flight retargeting,” Singh said, according to the MoD statement.
