DRDO, PSU and Private Defence Sector News

[Enquirer]

Anti-tank missile and guided bombs successfully flight tested

The missile is guided by an Infrared Imaging Seeker operating in the Lock-on-Before-Launch mode. It is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world.


BHUBANESHWAR: India on Sunday successfully test fired indigenously developed Helicopter launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile Nag (HeliNa) from an army helicopter in Pokhran range.

Defence sources said the weapon system was tested for its full range. After its smooth release from the launch platform, the missile tracked the target all through its course before destroying it with high precision.

"All the parameters have been monitored by the telemetry stations and tracking systems placed in the helicopters. The mission was successful as the missile performed as expected," the source said.

Developed by DRDO, the missile was guided by an Infrared Imaging Seeker (IIR) operating in the lock on before launch mode. It is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world. HeliNa has an extended strike range of about eight km.

In another related development, indigenously designed and developed guided bombs Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) were successfully flight tested from IAF aircraft at Chandan range in Rajasthan. The weapon system integrated with live warhead destroyed the targets with high precision. The telemetry and tracking systems captured all the mission events.

The weapon is capable of destroying variety of ground targets using precision navigation. A total of three tests with different release conditions were conducted during August 16 to 18 and all the mission objectives have been achieved.The weapon has undergone eight developmental trials so far and performance of system for different ranges under multiple launch conditions has been demonstrated. Senior officials from DRDO, Indian Army, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Indian Air Force (IAF) participated and witnessed the respective flight tests.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated the DRDO, Army, IAF and HAL on the successful flight test for further strengthening the defence capabilities of the country.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nat...bombs-successfully-flight-tested-1859993.html

Glad to hear about Helina! Finally!!
I have been checking about it for months - and there used to be absolute silence!!!

 

[patriots]

helina tested with new seeker.......for full range..................

 

[Enquirer]

helina tested with new seeker.......for full range..................

helina tested with new seeker.......for full range..................

Not sure if this is indeed the first test with 640x512 seeker. I thought this was integrated 2 years ago!!!

That said, it was really DUMB of DRDO to have selected 128x128 seeker in the first place, when 640x512 seekers were widely available in the market (even higher resolution seekers are available)!!!!!

 

[Enquirer]

deleting duplicate................................................

 

[Enquirer]

Helina missile is, in my opinion, more important than Nag!

Nag's delay won't make of break the grand strategy - as there are other ATGMs in the arsenal with similar capabilities.

However, Helina's delay makes LCH/Rudra & the entire attack helicopter strategy punctured.

I would say there's an urgent need for at the minimum 10,000 Helina missiles for ~250 attack helos (LCH+Rudra). 8 missiles each, and at least 4 reloads!

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

Helina missile is, in my opinion, more important than Nag!

Nag's delay won't make of break the grand strategy - as there are other ATGMs in the arsenal with similar capabilities.

However, Helina's delay makes LCH/Rudra & the entire attack helicopter strategy punctured.

I would say there's an urgent need for at the minimum 10,000 Helina missiles for ~250 attack helos (LCH+Rudra). 8 missiles each, and at least 4 reloads!

There is another missile - SANT for drones and has higher range. That is also important. In fact, Helina is tube launched and SANT is rail launched. May be, SANT will turn out to be more important eventually.

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

Not sure if this is indeed the first test with 640x512 seeker. I thought this was integrated 2 years ago!!!

That said, it was really DUMB of DRDO to have selected 128x128 seeker in the first place, when 640x512 seekers were widely available in the market (even higher resolution seekers are available)!!!!!

I think it is indigenous seeker, not ones available in market. It is easier to make lower resolution seeker initially an then upgrade. I would not call it dumb.

 

[Enquirer]

I think it is indigenous seeker, not ones available in market. It is easier to make lower resolution seeker initially an then upgrade. I would not call it dumb.

I am pretty sure it's not indigenous! That's why it's dumb to have selected a lower resolution seeker among the plethora of resolutions available in the market!

 

[Enquirer]

There is another missile - SANT for drones and has higher range. That is also important. In fact, Helina is tube launched and SANT is rail launched. May be, SANT will turn out to be more important eventually.

Yep. Sant will also be used by fighter jets (in CAS mode).
Even though some prelim (captive) tests were done on Sant, it still might take few more years.
The problem is that LCH helos are stuck (from being ordered in bulk) because an ATGM hasn't been qualified as yet!

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

I am pretty sure it's not indigenous!

According to DRDO, the IIR seeker is Indian whereas Millimeter radar seeker is under development. Since we are speaking of resolution, it is likely IIR seeker and hence Indian

 

[Enquirer]

According to DRDO, the IIR seeker is Indian whereas Millimeter radar seeker is under development. Since we are speaking of resolution, it is likely IIR seeker and hence Indian

The IIR seeker's focal plane is imported (whose resolution we're discussing). The mechanics may have been developed locally. Even in the Akash 1S seeker (that's purpotedly claimed to be indigenous) has an imported focal plane

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

The IIR seeker's focal plane is imported (whose resolution we're discussing). The mechanics may have been developed locally. Even in the Akash 1S seeker (that's purpotedly claimed to be indigenous) has an imported focal plane

The focal plane of higher resolution is imported but the design is Indian. The algorithm is closely associated with the architecture of the focal plane and Indian CSIR made it. The import is similar to contract job to TSMC to make chips designed elsewhere.

 

[Enquirer]

The focal plane of higher resolution is imported but the design is Indian. The algorithm is closely associated with the architecture of the focal plane and Indian CSIR made it. The import is similar to contract job to TSMC to make chips designed elsewhere.

You're just making up stuff as and when you feel like!
Focal plane array is just pixelated plate (like any ccd camera) but only sensitive to thermal radiation. The output is voltage from each pixel. That's how it's sold.
Now how the output is interpreted is totally left to the user...just like phones/cameras do image processing!

 

[aritro datta]

what are the characteristics of RUDRA MK 2???

 

[abingdonboy]

Good news .

Next thing will be defence boom in india , youth will get more jobs in defence

Imagine if GOI committed to 2.5% of GDP for defence and of that 1% HAD to be spent on Indian made systems only.


Defence industry will grow no doubt but because of a number of reasons it is almost entirely dependant on orders from Indian armed forces an with MOD funding being all but stagnant the process is being stalled.

Reason why US has such cutting edge tech is because of the huge demand from US users during Cold War.

 

[ezsasa]

Imagine if GOI committed to 2.5% of GDP for defence and of that 1% HAD to be spent on Indian made systems only.


Defence industry will grow no doubt but because of a number of reasons it is almost entirely dependant on orders from Indian armed forces an with MOD funding being all but stagnant the process is being stalled.

Reason why US has such cutting edge tech is because of the huge demand from US users during Cold War.

I’d say domestic demand alone cannot suffice the growth required, there needs to be a focus on exports.

If not at major equipment level, but at least at sub component level.

 

[Advaidhya Tiwari]

Imagine if GOI committed to 2.5% of GDP for defence and of that 1% HAD to be spent on Indian made systems only.


Defence industry will grow no doubt but because of a number of reasons it is almost entirely dependant on orders from Indian armed forces an with MOD funding being all but stagnant the process is being stalled.

Reason why US has such cutting edge tech is because of the huge demand from US users during Cold War.

The problem is not orders but lack of technology. No one will offer technology to India and India will have to import if more orders are given. It will worsen the problem. Order must be placed only when there is technology available. Research requires time and political backing

 

[Enquirer]

You're just making up stuff as and when you feel like!
Focal plane array is just pixelated plate (like any ccd camera) but only sensitive to thermal radiation. The output is voltage from each pixel. That's how it's sold.
Now how the output is interpreted is totally left to the user...just like phones/cameras do image processing!

@Advaidhya Tiwari

Sofradir is the French company that DRDO imports Focal Plane Arrays for Nag/Helina seekers

 

[darshan978]

Indian Scientists Solve Major Glitch in Homegrown Anti-Tank Nag Missile

The Helicopter Launched Nag (HELINA) missile had a problem locking onto the heat signature of a tank target in very hot conditions as the target’s heat signature merged into its surroundings. The problem has been solved with the help of an upgraded 640x512px focal plane array infrared imaging seeker.

New Delhi (Sputnik): Indian defense scientists have finally solved a problem that had been delaying the induction of the locally-developed Nag missile, dubbed as one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world, into the country's armed forces.

READ MORE: Russia, India Engaged in Talks on 5th Generation Fighter Jet — UAC

On Sunday, the Indian Defense Ministry said that the HELINA (helicopter launched Nag) missile was successfully flight tested from an army helicopter in Pokhran. The weapon system was tested for its full range of seven kilometers.

"The missile is guided by an Infrared Imaging Seeker (IIR) operating in the Lock on Before Launch mode. It is one of the most advanced Anti-Tank Weapons in the world," a Defense Ministry statement reads.

CC BY-SA 2.5 / FRONTIER INDIA DEFENSE AND STRATEGIC NEWS SERVICE
India Tests Glide Bombs, Allegedly More Precise, Cheaper Than Missiles
The country-made IIR provides day and night operational capabilities against low silhouette tanks, both static and fast moving. This was the first trial of the HELINA using an upgraded 640x512px focal plane array IIR that helped directly hit the target's heat signature. Earlier, it had a problem locking onto the heat signature of a tank target in very hot conditions as the target's heat signature merged into its surroundings.


READ MORE: India Saves Its Foreign Reserves Over $5 Billion With Homegrown Akash Missiles

The anti-tank guided missile can be launched from both land and air-based platforms. The strike range of the land variant and air version of the missile is up to 4 km and up to 7 km, respectively.

The DRDO has been working on the Nag missile since 2009, spending approximately $47 million on its development.

 

[Enquirer]

The DRDO has been working on the Nag missile since 2009, spending approximately $47 million on its development.

Helina has been worked on from 2009. Nag is about 30 years old now!!!!