If it travels all the distance at 3-4 m , then the range will be just 40-50% of original (120km in 300km version, 200km in 500km version) due to thick atmosphere .
Steep dive means it'll be coming in high and then dive right on target..
It has a dive profile as and when the situation arises. The range of BrahMos is now between 450 - 800 Km so factor that in as well.
450 km is actually confirmed by a recent test. But i don't think it can achieve anymore than that without significant change in body specfication, engine.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.econ...rahmos-aerospace/amp_articleshow/70117273.cms
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...ested-in-three-years/article26333335.ece/amp/
https://zeenews.india.com/india/bra...personic-version-being-developed-2230891.html
I am more precisely talking about the S maneuver ,first sea skimming then top attack & steep dive
So the same missile body will support 3/2 times the speed(2M for oniks,3M for brahmos), meaning 2.25 times the kinetic energy with the same amount of fuel ?
Thats not how steep dive works.. If an oncoming missile suddenly increases height, it staves off massive energy and decreases speed which only become easier for defender to shoot.. The s manuevers happen horozontaly.. However steep dive involves a sub sonic weapon diving at the last moment to achieve temporary speed advantage over defender.
BrahMos Ramjet Engine is more efficient than P 800 one. The rated speed on BrahMos is M 2.8 - M 3.0 vis - a -vis M 2.5 in Yakhont. Also the BrahMos uses a different flight profile and S approach algorithm with respect to the Yakhont.
Different flight profile? As in?
Here is BrahMos MD talking about it's steep dive capability and that it gives it vast advantage against a aircraft carrier or capital ships
You fly at a higher altitude when in uncontested space. Make short Hi - Lo terrain hugging profile in enemy territory. Do a dive to 10 m for last couple miles, progressively reduce it to 3 - 4 m and at the last minute, pop up and do an S maneuver against countermeasures and SAM systems before diving into the target. Remember the BrahMos is a cruise missile and can maneuver pretty much as an aircraft so it can adjust flight profiles based on threat algorithms and data inputs via inertial navigation system, satellite navigation using GLONASS, GPS, GAGAN and data-links ; the active radar homing is used in the terminal stage.
http://www.pravdareport.com/russia/106153-russian_missiles/
This is literally what i mentioned in the High-low-low profile with 30% range drop couple comments ago..
Most of it is in the high profile. It essentially acts as a glider till it climbs down, weaving between "go" and "no -go" zones. The range drop is minimal depending on which profile you choose.
If any of the last 100 km is in high profile, it loses its stealth completely due line of sight.. Even while maintaining 1km of altitude.
Which is why the BrahMos moves at M 3. You have less time to make visual observations. Most ground radars are concentrated around hardened installations.You can simply alter your flight path like an aircraft away from these clusters that you can map using their emissions. Even overlapping FoV have blind spots due to terrain, altitude and even atmospheric pressure resulting in false returns due to cloud formations. Adjust altitude as required and duck and weave between the blind spots.
It will be 127mm BAE guns, rest assured. Some 12 have been ordered, to be spread between the P17A, the P15B and INS Dronacharya (Gunnery school)
Kolkata class will also get retrofitted during their MLU dockings. Mountings have the necessary space and strengthening
