Hypersonic Missiles

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/i...ssile-defence-system-in-february/20110118.htm

India to test-fire upgraded missile defence system in February

After carrying out major upgrades, India [ Images ] will test-fire an advanced version of its indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence system in February allowing it to destroy enemy rockets at a much higher altitude.

As part of its efforts to protect itself from enemy missiles, India is developing a two-tier BMD, which can intercept enemy missiles at exo-atmospheric (outside the Earth's atmosphere) altitudes of 80 km and endo-atmospheric (inside the Earth's atmosphere) heights of 30 km.

Under the improved system, the Defence Research and Development Organisation-developed missile shield will intercept missiles at exo-atmospheric altitudes of 150 km and endo-atmospheric height of 80 km, DRDO sources said. The system is being upgraded after DRDO felt that a capability to intercept enemy projectiles at higher altitudes would give it more response time in case the first attempt is a miss and the second layer of the system can be put into action, they added.

Sources said with India facing a theatre-based threat and not a global one from an Inter Continental Ballistic Missile, such a capability would also give it an advantage in terms of the area covered by the missile defence system.

The system was first test fired in November 2006 elevating India into the elite club of four countries to have successfully developed an anti-ballistic missile system, after United States, Russia [ Images ] and Israel.

Last year, DRDO conducted the fourth in a row successful test of the endo-atmospheric interceptor missile at an altitude of 15 km. Sources said if the tests prove successful, the DRDO will go ahead with the deployment of the BMD by 2015.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-81.html

Teledyne Ryan AQM-81 Firebolt

In the 1968/69 time frame, the USAF flight tested some modified Beech AQM-37A target drones under the Sandpiper program. The main modification was the replacement of the AQM-37's inherently dangerous liquid-fueled rocket (which used hypergolic propellants) with a hybrid unit using a solid grain fuel and a liquid oxidizer, which would not burn on contact. After the Sandpiper tests were successful, the Air Force formally started the XAQM-81A HAST (High Altitude Supersonic Target) program to develop a production target based on the AQM-37 Sandpiper configuration.

The HAST (later renamed to HAHST (High Altitude High Speed Target)) development program apparently met with some difficulties because the configuration was not finalized before the late 1970s. However, Beech's offer for a full-scale development contract was considered too expensive, and therefore the USAF called for competitive bids for HAHST development from the industry. In December 1979, the AQM-81 contract was awarded to Teledyne Ryan's Model 305 Firebolt. The first test flight of an XAQM-81A occurred in June 1983.

The Firebolt was based on the AQM-37, but used a hybrid liquid/solid rocket propulsion system as originally demonstrated in the Sandpiper program. The engine, built by the Chemical Systems Division (CSD) of United Technology, was throttleable between 0.53 kN (120 lb) and 5.3 kN (1200 lb). A ram air turbine, with an inlet below the center fuselage, pressurized the IRFNA (Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid) oxidizer before it was delivered to the thrust chamber, and also provided electrical power for the missile. After air launch at about Mach 1.5 from an F-4 aircraft, the hybrid rocket could propel the XAQM-81A to speeds of more than Mach 4 at altitudes of 30000 m (100000 ft). The Firebolt could fly a pre-pregrammed course and/or respond to guidance commands from the ground. The parachute recovery system allowed either a soft landing or a mid-air retrieval.

The designation AQM-81B was allocated to a projected U.S. Navy version. This was to have support for the Navy's AN/USW-3(V) ITCS (Integrated Tracking and Control System), radar augmentation for ground tracking requirements, and a floatation gear for recovery over water. The designation AQM-81N is sometimes quoted for the Naval version, but the N suffix is unofficial.

The AQM-81 test and evaluation program was successfully completed in late 1984. However, no follow-on contract for Firebolt production was awarded, presumably because it was significantly more expensive than the simpler expendable AQM-37.
Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for XAQM-81A:
Length 5.18 m (17 ft)
Wingspan 1.02 m (3 ft 4 in)
Diameter 33 cm (13 in)
Weight 560 kg (1230 lb)
Speed Mach 4.3
Ceiling 31400 m (103000 ft)
Endurance 5 min.
Propulsion United Technology hybrid (liquid/solid) rocket; 5.3 kN (1200 lb)

 

[Anshu Attri]

Hypersonic wind-tunnel in final stage of commissioning, ISRO working for science city.

ISRO to Set Up Sub-Systems Integration Facility


The Indian Space Research Organisation plans to set up an advanced R and D centre in the field of spacecraft technologies in Karnataka's Chitradurga and rocket sub-systems integration facility near the spaceport of Sriharikota in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said the space agency has got 530 acres of land in the science city in Chitradurga, where Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Defence Research and Development Organisation are also building their facilities.

"We are developing it (land in the science city) for advanced research and development centre in the area of spacecraft technologies," he told a press conference here.

ISRO Satellite Centre Director T K Alex said that with annual production of satellites on the rise at ISRO, the space agency finds that the Bangalore centre is not sufficient. ISRO wants to add new research and production capacities in Chitradurga campus which would be used for its activities in the area of advanced communication and remote sensing.

Radhakrishnan said ISRO, IISc, BARC and DRDO have decided to set up common facilities such as hospitals, schools and colleges in Chitradurga science city.

He also said ISRO plans to set up near Sriharikota facilities for integration of sub-systems of rockets, currently being done by industries in different parts of the country.

Radhakrishnan said the idea is to bring sub-systems integration activities by industries and ISRO closer to the launch site at Sriharikota.

Discussions are on with the Andhra Pradesh government as well as with industries to set up these proposed facilities on 250-300 acres of land near Sriharikota, he added.

He said the idea is to take up integration activities closer to the launch site in a controlled quality environment which would result in "better reliability" and cut down on wastage of time and risks involved in bringing such systems from different parts of the country.

Radhakrishnan said ISRO is setting up a multi-mission ground segment for earth-observation satellites at Shadnagar near Hyderabad. He added that a national data base for emergency management for the country is also coming up there.

A hypersonic wind-tunnel facility is in final stage of commissioning at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, he said.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

India to develop hypersonic cruise missile with Mach 6 - People's Daily Online

India to develop hypersonic cruise missile with Mach 6

India will develop the hypersonic cruise missile with the maximum speed of 6000 km per hour to boost aerial fast strike capability, local media reported on Monday.

The hypersonic cruise missile will be developed on the basis of the present supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, and Russia will offer the technical support, the Indian newspaper the Times of India reported, citing an official's saying of the Indian Defense Ministry.

An agreement with Russia will be signed during the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to India in December, said the official.

The existing supersonic variants of BrahMos could travel at a speed of Mach 3, half that of the hypersonic versions, and the hypersonic cruise missile would have more powerful target penetration capability than those supersonic versions, the official said.

At present, only a few countries in the world are developing hypersonic cruise missiles, such as the U.S. and Russia. On May 26, the U.S. Air Force test-launched a hypersonic cruise missile carried under a wing of a B-52 bomber in the Pacific Ocean. The missile reached a top speed of Mach 6, but the flight only lasted about 200 seconds due to a vehicle anomaly.

The Indian hypersonic BrahMos cruise missile will have the same range of about 300 km as the supersonic versions. It is expected to be ready by 2016, and will arm the advanced stealth destroyers of the Indian Navy, according to the official.

As the hypersonic BrahMos version with a speed of Mach 6 is deployed, India will become one of the few countries in the world to possess such missiles of this speed, said the official.

BrahMos cruise missile is a supersonic cruise missile jointly-developed by India and Russia, and could be launched from the planes, surface ships, submarines and land vehicles. India and Russia intend to make 2000 BrahMos supersonic missiles over the next ten years, and nearly half of which are expected to be exported to some countries.

Source: Xinhua

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Reusable hypersonic BRAHMOS should be developed: Dr. Kalam - Brahmand.com

Reusable hypersonic BRAHMOS should be developed

NEW DELHI (BNS): A hypersonic variant of BRAHMOS cruise missile system should be developed that can be reused, former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam suggested on Sunday.

Addressing an event to mark 10 glorious years of first supersonic launch of the BRAHMOS cruise missile, Dr. Kalam said, "BRAHMOS will graduate to hypersonic cruise missile"¦ it should be a reusable hypersonic cruise missile, meaning that it would return to its base after delivering the payload."

Work is presently going on to develop the advanced version of the weapon system that can travel at a speed of Mach 5 to 7. The new missile, to be called BRAHMOS II, will be smaller than the original BRAHMOS.

Speaking on the occasion, A Sivathanu Pillai, CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace, the JV company between India and Russia, described BRAHMOS as "an unparalleled system."

"Its speed, precision and devastating power in destroying the target made the weapon unparalleled. Its competition is yet to be born," he said.

India and Russia set up the JV through an Inter-Governmental Agreement signed on February 12, 1998 to jointly design, develop, produce and market the BRAHMOS missile system.

On this joint partnership, Dr. Pillai said, "The JV has become a symbol of Indo-Russian friendship and also changed the minds of the developed countries in the dynamics of war itself."

Governor of Chhattisgarh and former Defence Secretary of India, Shekhar Dutt, who was also present during the event, said that BRAHMOS today has carved a niche for itself after a decade of journey.

"The formation of the company set an example of integration of jointly developed high technology military products and its promotion in the world defence market. Both the product and the JV company have established a unique status in the world with brand," he said.

The BRAHMOS programme achieved its first milestone when the supersonic cruise missile system was successfully test-fired for the first time from Chadipur, Orissa on June 12, 2001.

 

[nitesh]

Kalam sir is referring towards AVATAR?

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Kalam sir is referring towards AVATAR?

No Brahmos 2 which he wants to make reuseable.

 

[nitesh]

No Brahmos 2 which he wants to make reuseable.

I understand it, but isn't AVATAR was supposed to be hypersonic and reusable?

 

[LETHALFORCE]

I understand it, but isn't AVATAR was supposed to be hypersonic and reusable?

AVATAR is a scramjet/hypersonic plane.

 

[Pintu]

A hypersonic wind-tunnel facility is in final stage of commissioning at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, he said.

I think that will boost Avatar.

Regards

 

[nrj]

Even if project details are not clear, one thing is sure that India is investing heavily in hypersonic technology. Multiple projects are running in parallel with independent R&D. This will put us way ahead of anything in coming future.

 

[nrj]

-- Mr APJ Abdul Kalam has stated in an interview that India is trying to build a long-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead which can be used nearly 100 times.

-- The design of the missile is in the conceptual stage. It will be completed in 3-4 years. It is a combination of aircraft cruise missile and remotely piloted vehicle.

-- The reusable missile can travel at hypersonic speed. It will be made of composite material to prevent detection by radar. The Defence Research and Development Organisation plans to make a formal proposal to the Ministry of Defence for funding. (vv)

INDIA BUILDING REUSABLE MISSILES

 

[nrj]

The country should now opt for developing reusable missiles which come back after striking enemy targets, former president A P J Abdul Kalam said on Tuesday.

"If anybody dares to attack us we need to give immediate reply... We must have missiles which come back after striking enemy targets to be reused," Kalam said stressing the need for missiles and other advanced weapons to protect peace in the country.

He was answering queries by school children, who met him at the Raj Bhavan in Itanagar.

Kalam asked children to practise righteousness which he said comes from parents in spiritual environment and from primary school teachers.

He recalled the contribution of his own primary school teacher Subramanium Iyer, who took him to the beach in Rameswaram when he was a youngster and explained him how sea gulls fly using their tails, which led him to aspire to study aeronautics.

"You must excel in whatever you do and enjoy your success and also of others ... We need courage to think differently, to invent, to travel on unexplored path and to conquer problems," he said.

© Copyright 2011 PTI. All rights reserved.

Source

 

[nrj]

It appears that Reusable Missile is in development since 2007 or before.

VISAKHAPATNAM: After successfully testing and absorbing into the defence system the world leader — 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile — India is all set to develop a more advanced hypersonic reusable missile, which will go to target, deliver the warhead (attack the target) and return to the base.

Hypersonic reusable missile next: Pillai

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Anybody have an idea how it would be reusable?? I am speculating it is one missile inside another missile??

 

[nrj]

Can be a UCAV something on the lines of US's Global Prompt Strike Delivery project or its walking path of AVATAR.

The miniaturized version of AVATAR saw testing but still no reports in public literature.

 

[Neil]

so we are talking about hypersonic drones....dont understand the logic behind it....

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Maybe it could be a hypersonic version of CBU-105?? A missile which releases cluster bombs and returns??

 

[nrj]

But LF sir, somewhere it talks about nuclear warhead. If existing, this is very ambitious undertaking.

AVATAR is supposed to provide ISRO with cheapest means to launch satellites. If we consider that this reusable missile is AVATAR based then how it can be cruise missile at the same time?

Again Brahmos is primarily aimed to be anti-ship missile but slowly its evolving for universal role.

What picture I can draw is, its a remotely controlled hypersonic plane of avatar-like structure capable to fly upper atmosphere carrying cruise missile. Don't know why but I feel its something like US Global Prompt Strike Option, except the difference that US is developing it for conventional warhead.

But present technology is still couple of decades behind the required low density material engineering.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

But LF sir, somewhere it talks about nuclear warhead. If existing, this is very ambitious undertaking.

AVATAR is supposed to provide ISRO with cheapest means to launch satellites. If we consider that this reusable missile is AVATAR based then how it can be cruise missile at the same time?

Again Brahmos is primarily aimed to be anti-ship missile but slowly its evolving for universal role.

What picture I can draw is, its a remotely controlled hypersonic plane of avatar-like structure capable to fly upper atmosphere carrying cruise missile. Don't know why but I feel its something like US Global Prompt Strike Option, except the difference that US is developing it for conventional warhead.

But present technology is decades behind the required low density material engineering.

if it is a plane then it can carry any warhead we want, but why name it Brahmos 2?? Also Avatar has cooperation with Israelis and this Brahmos 2 has Russian cooperation.