K-4 Missile

[sasum]

EXPRESS EXCLUSIVE: India Test Fires Nuke Capable SLBM K-4 Secretly

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  Underwater launched K-4 missile being test fired. EPS

BALASORE (ODISHA): India has reportedly conducted a test of its home grown intermediate range Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) K-4 secretly from an undersea platform in the Bay of Bengal in a bid to boost its deterrence capability by strengthening the second strike fire power.

Even as the authorities of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are tightlipped about the secret test, a reliable defence source on Tuesday confirmed ‘The Express’ that this nuclear capable missile was fired from a submerged pontoon positioned nearly 30 feet deep sea offshore Vizag coast on Monday.

Launched underwater, the missile developed indigenously by the DRDO, surged to the surface leaving behind a ribbon of thick smokes. Although the result of the test was not known, the source claimed it’s take off was smooth as a powerful gas generator successfully ejected it from the pontoon.

The first test of the missile was also conducted secretly on March 24, 2014 and the DRDO admitted it officially only in January last year in the Aero-India show. The K-4 missile is best in the world in its class and it is faster and stealthier. Once operational, the two-stage missile will equip the country's first nuclear-powered submarine ANS Arihant.

Working very covertly under the secret K-project for last nearly two decades, prime focus of the DRDO was to make the weapon system lighter and faster having both cruise and ballistic variants. A very few countries have the triad of firing nuclear tipped missiles from air, land and undersea. Other countries, which have the capability, include Russia, USA, France, Britain (UK) and China.

A defence scientist said the K-4 missile will supplement its cousin 750-km range K-15 missile (renamed as B-05). Nuclear powered INS Arihant submarine which is likely to be commissioned in the Navy shortly will be equipped with four K-4 missiles or 12 K-15 missiles. The missile has to go for three/four more trials before being inducted in the navy.

As reported by 'The Express' earlier this manoeuvrable missile having an innovative system of interlacing in three dimensions can also cruise at a hypersonic speed. This exceptional feature of the weapon system makes it difficult to be tracked easily and destroyed by any anti-ballistic missile defence systems. The missile has a high accuracy of close to zero circular error probability (CEP).

The underwater launched ballistic missile is about 12 metres long with a diameter of 1.3 metres. It weighs around 17 tonnes and is capable of delivering two tonne warhead up to a distance of over 3,500 km. The missile is powered by solid rocket propellant. High power long range tracking systems were spread along its trajectory to track the flight path.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nat...BM-K-4-Secretly/2016/03/09/article3317185.ece

Congrats drdo. Hope, the test was a 100% success. The missile is 12 mtr. long. When it is tested from Arihant, shall we sigh in relief.

 

[garg_bharat]

What advantage this K4 or K15 has over the land base missile?
Is there anything it can do while the Prithvi or Agni can't?



Without considering the money or budget, basically everything we talk about here is meaningless.
Well, my friend, in a budget war, a few billion make a big difference.

What budget war? You are hardly making any sense?

The K4 and K15 have advantage over land based missiles as a submerged platform is hard to find. In the age of heavy satellite surveillance, it is important to hide launchers.

Land based missiles will also be as effective, however moving missiles on land is more risky.

 

[Illusive]

So how many more tests before they do it with Arihant.

 

[garg_bharat]

My guess is this test is prelude to loading Arihant's missiles. It is not necessary they fire one from Arihant immediately.

 

[warrior monk]

I think the SLBM was tested in a sub optimal trajectory or a depressed trajectory with maneuvering re entry vehicle no wonder it was tested for a short path due to asymmetric depressed trajectory which requires MARV capability and extreme ablative thermal protection system for flying as a hyper sonic cruise profile after the apogee suppression ballistic profile impressive, it will have to go through increased aerodynamic stress and heating on the boosters so probably redesigned boosters because of the increased burnout time required for such non optimal apogee suppressed trajectory . It probably has something like flap steering system , vernier rockets on re entry vehicle and aerodynamic control surface for such accuracy , drag reducing and aero dynamic heating reducing aerospike on the nose before entering the atmosphere and less than 10 degree re entry angle for such payload weight . It probably has a renewed navigation system .

Extensive usage of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites on body and control surface for light weight heat and drag resistant and ablative purpose for extensive atmospheric phase .

It is definitely a preclude for MIRV to be tested shortly and creation of STOF nuclear system . The technology tested here will have spillover effect on our Agni systems. This not a good sign for our adversaries .

 

[sasum]

No MSM, except New India Express, confirmed the launch of k4. It is also not known whether the missile met all the parameters and was a success. No news channel also covered it.

 

[Superdefender]

A simple question....what is the speed of K-4?

 

[sasum]

I think the SLBM was tested in a sub optimal trajectory or a depressed trajectory with maneuvering re entry vehicle no wonder it was tested for a short path due to asymmetric depressed trajectory which requires MARV capability and extreme ablative thermal protection system for flying as a hyper sonic cruise profile after the apogee suppression ballistic profile impressive, it will have to go through increased aerodynamic stress and heating on the boosters so probably redesigned boosters because of the increased burnout time required for such non optimal apogee suppressed trajectory . It probably has something like flap steering system , vernier rockets on re entry vehicle and aerodynamic control surface for such accuracy , drag reducing and aero dynamic heating reducing aerospike on the nose before entering the atmosphere and less than 10 degree re entry angle for such payload weight . It probably has a renewed navigation system .

Extensive usage of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites on body and control surface for light weight heat and drag resistant and ablative purpose for extensive atmospheric phase .

It is definitely a preclude for MIRV to be tested shortly and creation of STOF nuclear system . The technology tested here will have spillover effect on our Agni systems. This not a good sign for our adversaries .

This reporter, Hemant Kumar Rout is not reliable. He has the habit of shooting his mouth.

 

[warrior monk]

A simple question....what is the speed of K-4?

It is still a ballistic missile so in minimum energy trajectory or simple ballistic profile it will have a speed of 5+/- 1 km/s , in depressed trajectory probably less to reduce drag and ablative heating only DRDO knows .

This reporter, Hemant Kumar Rout is not reliable. He has the habit of shooting his mouth.

There is nothing he said that is extraordinary , in fact @shiphone posted in the previous page that this test is only for 711.9 kms which only means STOF testing of a 3500 kms slbm not just ejector test .

 

[Superdefender]

So the speed of K-4 is above mach 20??

 

[sasum]

So how many more tests before they do it with Arihant.

Two more developmental tests before induction, according to report, provided the tests meet all parameters.

 

[sasum]

A simple question....what is the speed of K-4?

Though BM, it can also operate in cruise mode at hypersonic speed.

 

[shiphone]

a typical BM trajectory consist of three phases

1. boost phase
2. free flight phase
3. reentry phase

divided by four point-in-time

1. Launch point
2. All-burnt point
3. Re-entry point
4. Impact point

the speed of of the missile or the payload is a Variant (so is the Altitude of course), normally the Max speed appears at the All-burnt point and Re-entry point...and all- burnt point's > Re-entry point's slightly

for a ballistic missile, the speed and range is a corresponding relation, more range means higher top speed...for a 3000-3500 km range BM. the top speed normally is at 14-15 mach

 

[no smoking]

What budget war? You are hardly making any sense?

Don't you know what is budget war?
Basically, budget war decides what portion you can get in the government annual budget for your own department.
The result of this war will decides what new toys you can get and how many you can have.

The K4 and K15 have advantage over land based missiles as a submerged platform is hard to find. In the age of heavy satellite surveillance, it is important to hide launchers.
Land based missiles will also be as effective, however moving missiles on land is more risky.

Neither Pakistan, nor China cares where your missile is.
For Chinese, they are focusing the coast of their country, which is threatened by Americans;
For Pakistan, they are always targeting your cities and simply don't have the tech/equipment to check the location of your missile.

 

[garg_bharat]

Don't you know what is budget war?
Basically, budget war decides what portion you can get in the government annual budget for your own department.
The result of this war will decides what new toys you can get and how many you can have.



Neither Pakistan, nor China cares where your missile is.
For Chinese, they are focusing the coast of their country, which is threatened by Americans;
For Pakistan, they are always targeting your cities and simply don't have the tech/equipment to check the location of your missile.

Missile development in India has adequate budget. The pace is determined by technical issues, not money.

I do not agree with rest of your post. Either you do not know or want to mislead intentionally.

Pakistan does not exist in isolation. There are external parties that provide money, intelligence and equipment to Pakistan.

Your statement about China is laughable. There is no american invasion of China.

 

[warrior monk]

DRDO developed ABLATIVE MATERIAL

Thermal protective liner in rocket and missile propellant casings.

Salient Features 1. Low viscosity for easy casting at room temperature
2. Thermal insulation at 3000 ºC
3. Good adhesion with cage and compatibility with the propellant

S.No. Name of Property Specification Achieved
(units) (requirement)
1. Specific gravity 0.8-1.5 0.9-1.2
2. Shore 'A' hardness 40-70 45-65
3. Viscosity 4000-40000 10000-15000
(uncured state),
(mPa.s)

The back wall temperature < 150 < 100
in an oxy-acetylene test for after 180 sec. after
an 8mm thick liner on 180 s
2mm thick steel base (°C)




ULTRA-HIGH TEMPERATURE CERAMICS and COMPOSITES

SEM - ZrB powder

SEM - ZrB - SiC composites


ZrB -SiC UHTC composites have been developed using SiC coated ZrB and semi-pyrolysedPolycarbosilane (PCS).
SiC coating on ZrB particles generated using polycarbosilane solution. This composite is aimed to withstand at
2000 °C for 400 s.
Salient Features : C-C : Single time use
C-SiC: 2-3 times use
UHTC: Multiple time use


Flexural Strength (MPa) - 390

Vickers Hardness (GPa)- 22

Will also be used for HSTDV




Courtesy - DRDO

 

[no smoking]

Missile development in India has adequate budget. The pace is determined by technical issues, not money.

If your missile program does have adequate budget, your k-15 should have been equipped in your submarine for a quite long time. After 24 years (1991-2015), K-15 was rumoured to have her first launch from a submarine in Dec 15. If we compare it to Chinese work on JL-1, a missile developed 28 years ago, the total R&D work costed 22 years (1967-1988).

Well, the technical issues didn't hold Chinese 28 years, I don't see how it can hold India today unless you blame the IQ of your own scientists.

I do not agree with rest of your post. Either you do not know or want to mislead intentionally.

Or you fails to understand the strategic situation of each country.

Pakistan does not exist in isolation. There are external parties that provide money, intelligence and equipment to Pakistan.

Is there any external party provide sufficient money, detect equipment and missiles to target India missile?

Your statement about China is laughable. There is no american invasion of China.

Or your knowledge of current international event is laughable?
Americans publically announced China as their target of "Aisa Pivo" policy and is concentrating 60% of their navy and air forces into the neighbourhood of China.
Just days ago, Chinese and American navies had a "friendly confrontation" in south china sea.

Now you are telling me that China shouldn't worry because there is no American invasion?

 

[garg_bharat]

The problem with India is not only technical expertise and money but political will.
Your point why K4 is not ready is valid.

Yes China is more organized. China has achieved many things which India is struggling with.

Pakistan receives military aid from USA and China, and financing from Saudi and UAE. Enough information is available on this on Internet. Sharing of intelligence is rather trivial when a party gives billions worth of military equipment.

The "friendly confrontation" in SCS did not result in a shooting war. It is a show with no real effect. It satisfies both USA and China.

USA has the power to obliterate the islands you are developing as military bases, but did not.

A patrol near the islands makes no difference whatsoever. Maybe your ego is hurt.

 

[no smoking]

The problem with India is not only technical expertise and money but political will.
Your point why K4 is not ready is valid.

Yes China is more organized. China has achieved many things which India is struggling with.

So, your missile department didn't receive enough budget no matter for whatever reason is.

Pakistan receives military aid from USA and China, and financing from Saudi and UAE. Enough information is available on this on Internet. Sharing of intelligence is rather trivial when a party gives billions worth of military equipment.

None of them is building a system which enable Pakistan to aim at any India missile. The financial, technical and information aid to Pakistan barely keep them stand in front of India.

The "friendly confrontation" in SCS did not result in a shooting war. It is a show with no real effect. It satisfies both USA and China.

USA has the power to obliterate the islands you are developing as military bases, but did not.

A patrol near the islands makes no difference whatsoever. Maybe your ego is hurt.

So, you are suggesting that Chinese should start to prepare themselves only AFTER Americans start shooting?
Are you really so ignorant?

 

[garg_bharat]

"Barely keep them stand in front of India": Oh really??

US and China combined aid to Pakistan exceeds 6 billion per year. Add the money received from Saudi and UAE. My estimate is Pakistan receives at least 10B per year for various purposes from big Muslim donors.

Pakistan cannot fund terrorism in India without these MASSIVE funds and equipment being provided by foreign powers.

If Pakistan is having difficulty standing up, it is due to its pathetic social structure and mentality.

"None of them is building a system which enable Pakistan to aim at any India missile"

Oh really? Pakistani missiles look like copies of Chinese and North Korean missiles. That is just by chance?

"So, you are suggesting that Chinese should start to prepare themselves only AFTER Americans start shooting?"

I hardly care what Chinese do, prepare or not. The only important thing is Obama does not have the ba*** to take action against China.