Indian BMDS and Anti-Sat Missiles

lets discuss about these critically technologies.

Special Correspondent
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: V.K. Saraswat, DRDO Director-General and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, said on Sunday that the DRDO had already scored a hat-trick in the past few years, when three of its interceptor missiles (kill vehicles), developed as part of the Ballistic Missile Defence Programme, ripped apart “enemy” ballistic missiles in direct hits mid-flight.

“Developing the [anti-satellite] kill vehicle is the most critical aspect, because the satellite signatures and the ballistic missile signatures are different,” he said. But he added: “I am not building any [anti-satellite] weapon as on today. But I will have all the building blocks ready,” for space security would be a major issue in future.

A fourth interceptor missile test, scheduled for September, would try to bring down an “enemy missile” at an altitude of 120-140 km, he said.

Propulsion technology
The DRDO was keen on bridging the gaps in propulsion technology for battle tanks and aircraft. It was already building the indigenous Kaveri engine for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. The engine had performed exceedingly well in high-altitude tests in Russia, Dr. Saraswat said. “We want to use the Kaveri engine for the advanced medium combat aircraft. It will also power ships.” The Tejas now flies on General Electric engines.

A naval version of Tejas was getting ready. This twin-seat aircraft would be able to take off from and land on India’s aircraft carriers.

Source: The Hindu

The technologies on which the DRDO is working are related to tracking the satellite, command and control network for the interceptor and a laser seeker that can use three dimensional images to guide the kill vehicle. The DRDO expects to have the building blocks ready between 2012 and 2014.


Saraswat denied having any plans to test the anti-satellite weapons to test its efficacy. “It will never be tried out in real life conditions unless there are exigencies. It’s a weapon for deterrence,” he said.

The interceptor will be designed to kill satellites circling the earth at altitudes varying from 275 to 800 km. “Satellites used in network-centric warfare are either in low earth or polar orbit,” he said.

Asked about the progress in the naval version of the light combat aircraft, Saraswat said the first flight of naval LCA was expected in 2011.

Along with imported MiG 29 K, the naval LCA is expected to be the mainstay aircraft on board the Indian Aircraft Carrier, under construction in Cochin shipyard. But though the IAC is likely to join the navy by 2014-15, it’s not certain if the DRDO would be able to deliver the naval LCA in time.

Saraswat claimed that the recent successful flight of the LCA trainer version in Bangalore is an important step towards realising the naval LCA as the naval version will also have two pilots unlike the single pilot version for the air force.

The naval LCA, being assembled at the moment, will have ski-jump facility so that it will be launched from the decks of the carrier. On the ballistic missile defence system, he said the next test was likely in September.


Source: Deccan Herald