Akash Surface-to-air Missile

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http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index....iew&id=33565&sectionid=22&issueid=98&Itemid=1

Tatas bag order for Akash surface-to-air missile launchers
Sandeep Unnithan
New Delhi, March 23, 2009


The Tata Group's defence arm has bagged an order for supplying 16 indigenous Akash surface to air missile (SAM) launchers for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Strategic Electronics Division received the Rs 182 crore order for the launchers on Monday, even as the group celebrated the launch of its Nano small car.

The order for the missile launchers is bigger than the Rs 172 crore order for Pinaka multi-barrel rockets manufactured by the group for the Indian army in 2007.

The total contract for two regiments of Akash SAMs worth an estimated Rs 1,200 crore was placed by the IAF on public sector undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) earlier this year and deliveries are to be completed in three years. While public sector undertaking BDL is manufacturing the missiles, BEL is producing the Rajendra phased array radar.
 

EnlightenedMonk

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TATA Advanced Systems to Supply Surface to Air Missile Launchers to Indian Air Force

TATA Advanced Systems to Supply Surface to Air Missile Launchers to Indian Air Force

The Tata Group's defence arm, Tata Advanced Systems, has bagged an order for supplying 16 indigenous Akash surface to air missile (SAM) launchers for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Strategic Electronics Division received the Rs 182 crore order for the launchers on Monday, even as the group celebrated the launch of its Nano small car. The order for the missile launchers is bigger than the Rs 172 crore order for Pinaka multi-barrel rockets manufactured by the group for the Indian army in 2007.

The total contract for two regiments of Akash SAMs worth an estimated Rs 1,200 crore was placed by the IAF on public sector undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) earlier this year and deliveries are to be completed in three years. While public sector undertaking BDL is manufacturing the missiles, BEL is producing the Rajendra phased array radar.
 

pyromaniac

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Tata Division to Build 16 Akash Launchers

NEW DELHI - The Strategic Electronics Division (SED) of India's Tata Power will build 16 indigenous surface-to-air missile Akash launchers for $36.4 million, to be delivered within 33 months.

"The order assumes importance for the company, as through this order Tata Power SED is now recognized as the premier launcher company in India," says a March 30 company press release.

Tata Power SED has been associated with the Akash air defense system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), since 1991. In 2005, Tata Power SED delivered the Indian air force's version of the Akash launcher as its first integrated design-to-manufacturing project.

The 650-kilogram Akash missile has a range of 25 kilometers and can carry a 50-kilogram payload. It has a first-stage solid-fuel booster and a second-stage ram rocket sustainer motor. It is guided by ground radar and an on-board precision homing system.

The Akash is designed to defend large installations, like airfields, against enemy air attacks. One battery of Akash missiles will consist of three tracked vehicles mounted with four missiles each and a vehicle carrying a phased-array radar capable of tracking up to four targets at a time.

After the enemy target is detected, a DRDL scientist said, the Akash missile can align itself to the radar beams tracking the target within a few seconds and then approach the target at a speed of more than Mach 3.5.

The Indian army and air force are expected to order 3,000 Akash missiles in the next 20 years, and efforts will be made to export the missile, said a senior Defence Ministry official.


http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4013644&c=AIR&s=TOP
 

screwterrorists

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Great news bud. thanks.
its amazing what indigenous technology can do. 16 launchers for 36 mill. Thats just over 2 million a piece.
Im hating on all the stuff going around about how akash is dying because of Israeli deal.
Anyone have any updates on that besides BR articles?
 

sayareakd

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I think the other maker for the Akash missile launcher is L&T
 

shiv

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i think instead of implementing the AKASH as our primary SAM in the coming years it is much more feasible to put AAD as primary one cuz it is much more agile,maneuverable,quick and has higher range......it is also in the same weight if not less than the akash....
 

shiv

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also having a lot of AAD's scattered around the country will let us counter a barrage of missiles vs a few AAD's in a dedicated ABM role.
 

K Factor

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Akash's drawback is that its small range puts it withing enemy ARM's range. Pakistan recently purchased some Brazilian ARMs. China also has KH-31P ARMs (same as India).
 

venom

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Akash SAM System

Drdo has completed the development of the Akash Sam System. The Indian Air force was satisfied with the performance of Akash after extensive flight trials and has decided to induct the weapon system. Orders for two squadrons have been placed. This is the first order of an indigenous tactical missile by the Indian Armed Forces.

More orders are expected, as the IAF phases out its Pechoras and as the Indo-Israeli JV to develop a MRSAM (Medium Range SAM) for the IAF has been put on hold, while a similar program for the Indian Navy proceeds unimpeded.

In December 2007, the Indian Air Force completed user trials for this missile. The trials, which were spread over ten days were declared successful after the missile hit the target on five occasions. Multiple targets handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in C4I environment. Before the ten day trial at chandipur, ECCM Evaluation tests were carried out at Gwalior Air force base and mobility trials were carried out in Pokhran. The IAF had evolved the user Trial Directive to verify the Akash's consistency. The following trials were conducted: Against low flying near range target, long range high altitude target, crossing and approaching target and ripple firing of two missiles from the same launcher against a low altitude receding target.Following this, Indian Air Force announced that it would initiate induction of 2 squadrons of Akash. Some reports state that a Squadron has 18 batteries. This is incorrect, as shown by IAF Orbats and Pictures of the Akash squadron configuration. A squadron has a standard of 2 batteries with each battery capable of engaging 4 targets simultaneously, and hence the IAF order adds up to some 100 missiles (with reloads). More orders are expected as the Air Force moves to replace its retiring SA-3 Pechora systems.It is reported that Malaysia has shown interest in purchasing Akash missile system.

Each missile is expected to have starting costs below US$ 500,000, i.e. under Rs.20 million, which is less than half the cost of similar Western missiles which usually cost between US$ 1.2-1.5 million (Rs. 50-60 million) each.It is expected that this cost will further decrease due to the economies of scale achieved as production ramps up.

The missile is guided by a phased array fire control radar called 'Rajendra' which is termed as Battery Level Radar (BLR) with a tracking range of about 60 km. It can track 64 targets in range, azimuth and height and guide eight missiles simultaneously towards 4 targets. The Rajendra derivative on a BMP-2 chassis and to be used by the Indian Air Force is known as the Battery Level Radar -II whereas that for the Army, is based on a T-72 chassis and is known as the Battery Level Radar-III.

A single Akash missile has an 88% Probability of kill. Two missiles can be fired, five seconds apart, to raise the Probability of Kill to 98.5%.

Long range target acquisition is performed by the 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR), which is a long range surveillance radar that can track 150 targets in Track while Scan mode at a range of 180 km.

The Akash is unique among surface-to-air missiles in that it utilizes an integrated ramjet-rocket propulsion system, which provides thrust for the missile throughout its entire flight. "Because this missile has an integrated ram-rocket, maneuverability is highest. The engine is 'on' throughout the flight. The thrust is on till the missile intercepts the target," explained Prahlada. Most other surface-to-air missiles, including the U.S. Patriot and the Russian S-300 series, use solid-fuel rocket propulsion.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

India is upgrading 20 SA-3 systems with Polish package.
The minimum range of SA-3 is 3.5 kms & max is 35kms, min engagement altitude 100mts & max is 18000mts.

Akash Sam has a max range of 27-30 kms & can engage target flying as low as 20 mts.It is highly resistant ECM & very difficult to jam.

Question -1. Why only 16 launchers have been ordered[100 missiles along with radars & other systems] .....?
2. Is India ready to export the Akash Sam System...?
3. Is it sufficient of protecting Air bases & other assets by only 16 launchers..?
MRSAM project with Israel is moving on smoothly.The missile has a max range of 70kms & max alt of 18000mts.
Maitri LLQRM (Low Level Quick Reaction Missile): DRDO is engaged in the joint development of Maitri with MBDA.Range & Max altitude similar to SPYDER. Min engagement alt is speculated to be around 8-10 mts
SPYDER SAM syatem - India has placed an order for 18 launchers.Max range 15 kms & Max Alt = 9000mts. Min engagement alt = 20mts


........... if u check out the no of bases of Iaf, nearly 70-80 Akash Sam launchers are required......

Just my imagination - If a base is protected by 2 Barak-2[MRSAM] launchers, 2 Akash Sam launchers, 2 Maitri Launchers & IGLA manpad's along with TOR M1 & Thungska it would b a nightmare for the pak & chinese aircraft's to penetrate this air defence network.

Add More info & post your opinion......
 

vijaytripoli

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Dude u forgot to mention leathal Spyder sam system & also upgraded pechoras!
chau
 

venom

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Dude just read the last part once again....i've mentioned the SPYDER syatem...

& SA-3 [Pechoras]- India is in discussion with A polish firm & a Russian firm for the upgrade of SA-3 Pechoras
 
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John

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Akash: ramjet, top speed mach 2.8-3.5, range upto 30km away, 60 km version being developed.
 

venom

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Do u have any link abt the 60 kms version of akash being developed........?

I think u have confused it with LRSAM project with Israel.....
 

venom

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Rajendra Phased Array Radar

Rajendra is a slewable passive phased array radar used for 3-D target detection, multi target tracking and multiple missile guidance under extreme hostile EW environment. It makes use of a passive phased array to search a volume of space, distinguish between hostile and friendly targets, automatically track up to 64 targets and command one of several launchers to engage up to 4 targets simultaneously. Initially designed as a standalone system, Rajendra is now equipped with the ability to integrate with a network of sensors, including long and medium-range surveillance radars of foreign and indigenous origin.

Rajendra's multi-element antenna arrangement folds flat when the vehicle is in motion. The Radar consists of a surveillance antenna array with 4000 phase control modules (PCM's) operating in the G/H-Band (4-8 GHz), engagement antenna array with 1000 PCM's operating in the I/J-Band (8-20 GHz), a 16-element IFF array and steering units. A powerful high-end computer computes phases for all the elements of the array. Rajendra controls the beam positioning sequence through beam requests for each track at adaptive data rates and performs multifunctional roles like search –confirm –track -interrogate targets, assign and lock on launchers, and launch/acquire/ track/guide missiles. The RDP supplies track data to remote group control centre. Rajendra features a Dual channel radar receiver and a C band transmitter, although the complete transmitting and receiving features and bands are unknown.

Rajendra radar uses phase shifters integrated in large numbers for electronic beam steering. This allows Rajendra radar to simultaneously track multiple aircraft and also guide multiple missiles towards these targets. The phase shifter was designed and developed by Prof Bharati Bhat, a scientist from Centre for Applied Research in Electronics (CARE) of IIT, Delhi, and her team.

The phased array radar rotates 360 degrees on a rotating turnstile at a moderate speed. This allows it to perform 360 degree surveillance. The phased array itself has 45 degree scan limits to either side, giving a total scan coverage of 90 degrees, if the radar array is static.

During Multisensor Tracking a 2-D battery surveillance radar (BSR) with 360 degree coverage and a larger detection range provides track data to the multifunction, slewable, 3-D phased array radar. This is useful when a single battery of the Rajendra is detached from the group to fight alone, and early warning from the 3-D CAR is not available. The 2-D BSR data is then integrated by the Rajendra's radar vehicle. The multisensor direction finder in Rajendra processes the track data from the phased array radar and the BSR to identify the targets reported by both the sensors and maintains a common track database. For those BSR tracks, which are not being reported by Rajendra though under its coverage, target acquisition is initiated with elevation search in the designated direction. The antenna is skewed in the direction of threat to acquire the targets, which are outside the covered air space. The Rajendra's tracking range is 60 km against fighter aircraft flying at medium altitude.

The major functions of the Rajendra are:

Surveillance of the assigned volume of space
Acquisition of aircraft targets either independently or handed over from group control centre via the 3-D CAR or from the battery surveillance radar
Tracking of targets (64)
Tracking of assigned targets (up to 4) and missiles (up to 8) during engagement
Command guidance of missiles (up to 8)
Integrated IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) functions
 
J

John

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Do u have any link abt the 60 kms version of akash being developed........?

I think u have confused it with LRSAM project with Israel.....
well not sure i am hoping we develop a 60km version and increase the range of the MR-SAM from 70km to lets say around 120-150km, beyond the reach of most anti radiation missiles. MR-SAM 70km range is not impressive in my opinion.
 
J

John

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Akash is very effective and one of its keys features is that the target gets no warning of its launch, due to its ground based guidance even a very advanced target will have a last minute warning which isn't enough to save the target.
 

Singh

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Akash Mk2 is being developed. Astra can also be modified to be used as a SAM.

MR-SAM will be used by Navy. LR-SAM will have double the range of MR-SAM and will be developed for the Army.
 
J

John

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Akash Mk2 is being developed. Astra can also be modified to be used as a SAM.

MR-SAM will be used by Navy. LR-SAM will have double the range of MR-SAM and will be developed for the Army.
LR-SAM will have a range similar to the SM-2 which is around 150km. MR-SAM around 70 to 80km range. This is gr8, in the future a 350km version could also be developed because the missiles have a high degree of commonality. The higher the range the faster a missile has to go which means i think future versions will need air breathing scram or ramjet engines with speed of around mach 5/6, this is also good enough to deal with any medium range ballistic threats, but i think we need to get the AEGIS radar for these long range versions plus SM-3 (500km+) for extreme long range missile defense as well Anti-sat roles then we should be impregnable.

Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM)
 

venom

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Please don't mix the present with the future.....

1.There is no programme for further development of Akash Sam.
2.The Range of Barak-NG[Navy Version is 60-65kms] & That of Barak-II[IAF Version is 70 kms].There is no word regarding increasing the range of LRSAM from Drdo or IAI.Right Now Its just a speculation.It may be taken up on request of Indian Defence Forces Or Israel's but after the completion of the present project.
 

Dark Sorrow

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Akash is very effective and one of its keys features is that the target gets no warning of its launch, due to its ground based guidance even a very advanced target will have a last minute warning which isn't enough to save the target.
Wouldn't the RWR of the target come to know that it has be detected or tracked by a radar(ground based)?
 

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