FIRST PHOTOS: Prahaar Missile Test

The DRDO has just issued this press-release on the Prahaar missile launch: DRDO successfully flight tested its latest surface to surface missile Prahaar at 08.20 A.M on 21st July 2011 from Launch Complex III, off Chandipur Coast, ITR, Balasore, Orissa. The missile with a range of 150 km, comparable to ATACMS Missile of United States of America, fills the vital gap between Multi Barrel Rockets and Medium range Ballistic Missiles. The missile capable of carrying different types of warheads, operates as battle field support system to the Indian Army.

The missile with a length of 7.3 meters and diameter of 420 mm weighing 1280 kgs, and a single stage solid propulsion system goes to a height of 35 kms before reaching the targets of the range of 150 kms in about 250 seconds. The missile equipped with state-of-the-art high accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation systems with latest onboard computer achieved terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters.

The missile with a pay load of 200 kg has a fast reaction time, which is essential for the battle field tactical missile. The missile is launched from a Road Mobile System, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode in all directions covering the entire azimuth plane. The missile system is developed to provide Indian Army a cost effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battle field support tactical system. The development of missile is carried out by the DRDO scientists in a short span of less than two years.The flight path of the Missile was tracked and monitored by the various radar systems and electro optical systems located along the coast of Orissa. An Indian naval ship located near target point in Bay of Bengal witnessed the final event. The missile was developed by the DRDO Scientists with support from Indian Industry and Quality assurance agency MSQAA. The launch operations were witnessed by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri and Secretary Defence R & D, Lt Gen Vinod Nayanar, AVSM, Director General of Artillery, IHQ of MoD (Army). The operations were over seen by Avinash Chander, Chief Controller R&D, V.L.N. Rao, Programme Director AD, S.K. Ray, Director RCI, and S.P. Dash, Director ITR. Defence Minister A.K. Antony congratulated the Scientists of DRDO for the successful maiden launch of the new missile.Photos ©DRDO (via Ananthakrishnan M)

23 thoughts on “FIRST PHOTOS: Prahaar Missile Test”

  1. Anon 12:44 PM

    Agree with you. We are to be blamed as we give too much of importance to these sickening self-imposed experts. Prahaar hits Prasun — the joker!

  2. Excellent news and Kudos to DRDO. BTW @Shiv can you kindly provide link to press release. I mean original pdf or webpage.

  3. @ Shiv

    Prahaar does look like Indian endo-atmospheric interceptor missile. But seems like it was not tested from the launcher that was displayed at exhibitions.

    Please provide a few more details

    Thanks

    Joydeep Ghosh

  4. Great news, again i will mention that while we test, induct or import various weapon systems, lets hope when the time comes we are open to using them, else all this would be a big waste. lets hope across our polity, we also induct tonnes of political will to ensure that we tolerate no nonsense from some of our esteemed "friends". That said, well done DRDO for this test, and god speed for future projects.

  5. WOW! Kudos D.R.D.O.
    What an amazing Tactical Capability the Indian Army is now Possessing.
    Firing 6 at one go! Does this mean that a Battery of Prahaar's can actually bring down an Enemy Airbase at one go? :O
    With Pin Point accuracy, maybe future developments with Ramjet Engines which could penetrate Enemy Defence Systems.
    AWESOME is an understatement, provided DRDO works on this Knowledge base and develops a truely Unique Capability.
    .
    Could someone clarify on this:
    Is it that Prahaar has Multi-Warhead Capabilities (Something like an MIRVed Missile)? or are they refering to Multi-Missile Capabilities? If it cud be MIRVed, Woohoo! Bye Bye Pakistan!

  6. @Ashish It means that the missiles are launched from an erect (90*) launcher and can travel in any direction without relocating or adjusting launcher! I guess it is achieved by using an brahmos like trajectory push phase. Traveling at ~2.5 mach with guidance it can lay ruin to enemies assets with ease.
    But the main use of this missile lies in countering Pakistani Nsar of 60 km range. Pakis claimed that Nsar will be used against rapidly moving tank push by India but since our Prahar has almost 100 km more range (60 vs 150) and high mobility we can destroy their Nsar launchers with ease. Check mate.

  7. If the missile is so closely based on the interceptor, shouldn't it have better accuracy than 10 meters. In other words, did the interceptor tried successfully before did precisely meet its requirements ? or it was just another goof up by DRDO ?

  8. congrats DRDO , but just hope that drdo carries on the good work and develops it and makes it battle ready.
    Whatever they do , they must do quickly , because Pakistan too must be busy developing their's tactical missile.
    DRDO is a master is staking tall claims .
    They always flatter to decieve .
    I like to follow both Shiv's blogs as well as Prasun's blogs.
    And Prasun always asks the right questions.
    He always likes to post probing questions so that the truth comes out.
    Truly doesnt look like the launcher can accomodate 6 missiles .
    And can we believe DRDO's tall claims when there is no consistency in what they claim and do .

  9. Congrats DRDO ! Now get on and ghet things moving, first get rid of the vintage CC&R&D scientists who have been getting extensions for ages and give responsibility to younger scientists to show their mettle, next time to dust off the RamaRao committee report and take action. Hopefully DRDO will get more responsive.

  10. @Anon 7:13 Even Prasun has admitted that it indeed carries 6 missiles. Now official release as well as specifications are out there is absolutely no doubt that it will carry 6 missiles. Keep acting like an Ostrich with its head in sand.

  11. @713….yes the very first test of a missile..they ought to put 6 of them side by side right???thank heavens you are not an important part of anything!!!

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