India's Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Weapons

[NeXoft007]

My POV *after* seeing the pics of ASAT which was named PDV Mk. II.

1. Original plan as in the presentation from early 2000s was to use A2 1st stage on ASAT or atleast the new A2 'Prime' 1st stage will be used, coz duh, it's 2019. Saurav Jha claimed its A3/ A5 booster but the pic reveals that the booster is neither as thick as A3/ A5, nor as long as A2/ A4. So most probably, the booster of PDV Mk. II is entirely new class or atleast a cropped A4 booster, coz the diameter of PDV Mk. II booster do looks like that of Agni 4.

2. The upper stage is indeed that of original PDV, so PDV Mk. II which destroyed a LEO Sat is most probably, fully capable of destroying Ballistic Missiles at 300km+ or at Mid Course Trajectory just like American GMD Interceptor (a superb achievement!)

3. Whoever read my previous post here, please forget what I claimed earlier that it was AD-2 KV onboard ASAT-1000, coz the actual ASAT Missile tested by DRDO looks nothing like that in the presentation. It seems that ASAT project have gone through massive modifications since early 2000s coz of extensive studies and simulations done by DRDO scientists as the technology got evolved. The original Indian BMD Roadmap was to deploy AAD and PAD at Indian Cities, but the necessities gave birth to a longer AAD with canards and a completely new PDV missile after extensive R&D, which became the true successor to PAD. And this PDV has modular booster configuration, one for targets upto 150km altitude, another for targets beyond 300 km altitude which could possibly reach upto 900km altitude.

4. Let's see what DRDO has to offer for AD-1 and AD-2 Projects.

 

[Arihant Roy]

My POV *after* seeing the pics of ASAT which was named PDV Mk. II.

1. Original plan as in the presentation from early 2000s was to use A2 1st stage on ASAT or atleast the new A2 'Prime' 1st stage will be used, coz duh, it's 2019. Saurav Jha claimed its A3/ A5 booster but the pic reveals that the booster is neither as thick as A3/ A5, nor as long as A2/ A4. So most probably, the booster of PDV Mk. II is entirely new class or atleast a cropped A4 booster, coz the diameter of PDV Mk. II booster do looks like that of Agni 4.

2. The upper stage is indeed that of original PDV, so PDV Mk. II which destroyed a LEO Sat is most probably, fully capable of destroying Ballistic Missiles at 300km+ or at Mid Course Trajectory just like American GMD Interceptor (a superb achievement!)

3. Whoever read my previous post here, please forget what I claimed earlier that it was AD-2 KV onboard ASAT-1000, coz the actual ASAT Missile tested by DRDO looks nothing like that in the presentation. It seems that ASAT project have gone through massive modifications since early 2000s coz of extensive studies and simulations done by DRDO scientists as the technology got evolved. The original Indian BMD Roadmap was to deploy AAD and PAD at Indian Cities, but the necessities gave birth to a longer AAD with canards and a completely new PDV missile after extensive R&D, which became the true successor to PAD. And this PDV has modular booster configuration, one for targets upto 150km altitude, another for targets beyond 300 km altitude which could possibly reach upto 900km altitude.

4. Let's see what DRDO has to offer for AD-1 and AD-2 Projects.

1.It seems the 2nd solid stage KV has a lesser dia than the PDV kill vehicle.

2. The booster has been specifically developed for this project. It is based on A5 first stage.

3. The KV is brand new. It has divert altitude thrusters for improved agility and higher lateral acceleration capability more G . A new higher resolution IIR seeker has been used. It's resolution is higher than the PDV one.

4. According to Sathis Reddy, it's a brand new missile with some tech being borrowed from the previous missiles. It has haa higher accuracy-read lesser miss distance/hit to kill), more agility and higher relative speed.

5. The interception was done at 300 kms to avoid the space debris problem. Debris would renter and burn up within a few weeks. The missile can be used for interception uptp an altitude of 1000 kms.

6. The Asat project was approved two years back. Drdo took up the program in mission mode six months back. 300 scientists, technicians and stuff had worked on the Asat program day in and day out over the past six months.

7. PDV Mk2 is India's very own GMD interceptor. It can take on missiles during the mid course of its ballistic flight trajectory. It can be used to intercept ICBMs now.

8. The satellite is relatively cool compared to a RV during its re entry or the second stage of the missile during its mid course. So a higher sensitivity IIR seeker is needed to target the satellite. An added advantage of this interception is that Microsat R weighed just 740 kg. It's small by satellite standards. Tracking and then homing onto this is a challenge in itself. This validates our 1400 km range LRTR 's performance and also shows hoe this PDV Mk2 can be used as a longer range higher alt exo atmospheric interceptor.

9. Tech proved in this test will be used to retrofit the existing PDV missiles. Read higher resolution IIR seekers.

 

[porky_kicker]

This is interestingly , can't guarantee the authenticity though

 

[hit&run]

............................................................

 

[brational]

Great test. Good work. Indian space program is going in the right direction.aporeciate hard work by indians and also feeling sad because Abdul Kalam is not with indian people now.he died too early but legacy continues.

Great post and Good way to show @ss burn. Pakistan has no space programme so no question of going in any direction. APORECIATE foul work by Porkis and also feeling sad that Zia UL Haq is no more with Porki people now. He died too early but legacy continues.

 

[captscooby81]

@Hiranyaksha China is rogue state it gives a fuck about what damage it's ASAT space debris will do to others SATs . So they went ahead and did it in GEO. We don't have such luxury of being a rogue state . We always use we are land or Buddha and Gandhi so peace peace peace .So we tested in LEO without causing space debris to affect others . We simply follow Live and Let live policy . I am sure the next level of ASAT testing will be GEO orbit SAT

 

[dumdumdum]

Has there been any reaction from "International Community"? I haven't seen much other than Chini statement. Is this silence a win for India's diplomacy?

 

[G10]

This is a stragtegic weapon which would be used in full scale conflict. Limited conflict scenario this weapon wont be used although it can act as deterrent. Moreover end result is not mass slaughter so not a big deal internationally.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Has there been any reaction from "International Community"? I haven't seen much other than Chini statement. Is this silence a win for India's diplomacy?

US is warning of debris. So, are other countries. If would have intercepted it above 500kms, there may be have been some criticism. But this one was safe relatively.

 

[dumdumdum]

US is warning of debris. So, are other countries. If would have intercepted it above 500kms, there may be have been some criticism. But this one was safe relatively.

Isn't that a very mild reaction with no finger wagging about weapons race in space etc? If I remember correctly there was a massive verbal diarrhea globally when chin did it.

 

[indiatester]

Visuals from the launch of the anti satellite missile used in #MissionShakti #ASAT (Source: DRDO)

Look at the wind speed at around 24 seconds into the video. You can see clouds rushing in at high speed.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Isn't that a very mild reaction with no finger wagging about weapons race in space etc? If I remember correctly there was a massive verbal diarrhea globally when chin did it.

Space Race has nothing to do with. But yeah, it's a symbol of power projection. India is going to add every feather in its cap whatever USA, Russia and China got.

 

[sayareakd]

Just want to add some points to what has been said in this thread.

1. It's full weapon system, unlike PAD, which was more of experimental system. So in present form it could be used in variety of ways. Past experience has come handy. Could be used in mobile or canisters or in silos. Like GMD.

2. This test not only proves ASAT, which is itself is amazing achievement, but it also proves we are working beyond AD2. AD2 is for BMD of 5K missiles. It goes way beyond those.

3. Everything is made in India. We have come long way from initial BMD when parts were taken from different countries and assemble together. Now even infrared seeker is made here.

4. Looks like we have invested in KKV tech from earlier proximity fuse types.

5. Radar for this test is another achievement, as been posting for some time 1500 KMs Desi LRTR will create strategic umbrella.

6. Our missile and BMD tech has come in long way, now we can plug and play different systems. So much so that threat from Shaheen 3 is now almost non existent. If satellite can be automatically taken out in 3 minutes. Shaheen 3 could be intercepted well within Pak airspace. As I said we are beyond AD2. Even phase 1 of our BMD could take it out. But phase 2 was meant for 2k to 5k missiles. This goes beyond.

7. This goes long way in helping to miniaturization of kill vehicle and adopting KKV for MKV tech. More we make it in house, more we could play and reduce its size to take on MIRV in future. Ababeel when matured, will find we have tested MKV.

8. Last we broke the 5th-6th jinx. Now we gone to 4th. Other tech is hypersonic, already US, Russia and China has lead, we need to be 4th to develop hypersonic weapon. In some areas we are first like Mars mission in first attempt. So we need to be rubbing with world's top guys. Let's set our aim higher and we can do it.

We too now should shift focus from Pak to China, let Afghanistan should take care of Pakistan. That's policy for long run.

 

[Rahul Singh]

2. This test not only proves ASAT, which is itself is amazing achievement, but it also proves we are working beyond AD2. AD2 is for BMD of 5K missiles. It goes way beyond those.

This is exactly what I was about to post. ........................Today our BMD is at a way more advanced stage than it is told publically.

Further, i won't be surprised if we test Agni-5 at its full range of 8000km plus.

 

[sayareakd]

Rahul BM is ok, let's focus on MKV and MIRV. If floating test range will come other BMD test will be done. Problem for politicians is that defence purchases are their bread and butter, if they can't get like S400, and support desi bmd, people will ask why waste of money on foreign system.

Let them focused on bmd and MKV. Kill vehicle need miniaturization.

 

[Arihant Roy]

Some observations -

1. From the color, it can be inferred that the 1st stage has a filament wound composite casing. It isn't metal like the PDV first stage.

2. The 1st stage has a Dia of 1.4 metres and its length is between 7 to 7.2 metres excluding the interstate and nozzles. This nozzles are flex ones and employs TVC.

3. The 1st stage weighs anywhere between 12.5 to 13.5 tons.

4. PDV Mk2 has a slant range greater than 2000 km if I am being very conservative. It's truly an ICBM killer.

5. Microsat R was traveling at speeds of 7.2-8 km/s. It was shot down with centrimetric precision.

Birathers, PDV MkII is a thoroughbred mid course ICBM killer. Shaheen 2's RV has a perigree of 600 km at its highest point during re entry. Now do the math.

With one test, we have shown that we can accurately track and shoot down satellites, and that too small ones . And we can track, predict their trajectories in real time andintercept ICBM and IRBM class targets with ease.

My friends PDV MkII is a Shaheen 3 killer. Even Ababdeel can't save Pakistan now. We have the capability to shoot down the missile even before the payload bus starts dispensing its MIRV warheads. (If Pakistan really has perfected MIRV which I believe they haven't)

Look at the strategic depth of Pakistan. No matter from where they launch Shaheens 2 and 3 and even Shaheen 420, we are going to squat them out of the sky like mosquitoes .

 

[Arihant Roy]

Rahul BM is ok, let's focus on MKV and MIRV. If floating test range will come other BMD test will be done. Problem for politicians is that defence purchases are their bread and butter, if they can't get like S400, and support desi bmd, people will ask why waste of money on foreign system.

Let them focused on bmd and MKV. Kill vehicle need miniaturization.

Work on MKV has been going on for quite some time. Someone needs to have some pity on Pakistan.

How much more grass must they eat? It's a human rights violation.

 

[Rahul Singh]

Rahul BM is ok, let's focus on MKV and MIRV. If floating test range will come other BMD test will be done. Problem for politicians is that defence purchases are their bread and butter, if they can't get like S400, and support desi bmd, people will ask why waste of money on foreign system.

Let them focused on bmd and MKV. Kill vehicle need miniaturization.

We have our own version of S400 called XR SAM under development. Though some far away from actual deployment.

Anyway, I consider the purchase of S400 more as a geopolitical tool than a weapon. By making just sufficient purchase from Russians we keeping them from totally tilting against us in matters such as Afghanistan etc. Purchase of S400 also told US that we will never sit in their lap. Plus the Chinese --who also purchased S400-- that Russia is not entirely in their camp.

Purchase of S400 was more like balancing act.

In tactical terms, S400 --a mature system-- goes a long way augmenting our existing BMD, CMD, and AD.

 

[sayareakd]

Independent third party confirmation of collision of Indian #ASAT with satellite confirms KKV worked well. #MissionShakti https://t.co/qIvxxWEw8N

 

[Enquirer]

Great test. Good work. Indian space program is going in the right direction.aporeciate hard work by indians and also feeling sad because Abdul Kalam is not with indian people now.he died too early but legacy continues.

Every Indian misses APJ Abdul Kalam, but he didn't really die 'early' - he lived till he was 83! And he had retired from being the head of DRDO by them.
He will always remain an inspiration to the whole country!!!