Here comes Prahaar! It took less than 2 years to develop missile: DRDO

Photos of Prahaar launch from LC-III, ITR. 
(Official Press Release)

DRDO successfully flight tested its latest surface to surface missile Prahaar at 08.20 A.M on 21^st July 2011 from Launch Complex III, off Chandipur Coast, ITR, Balasore, Orissa.  The missile with a range of 150 km, comparable to ATACMS Missile of United States of America, fills the vital gap between Multi Barrel Rockets and Medium range Ballistic Missiles. The missile capable of carrying different types of warheads, operates as battle field support system to the Indian Army.

The missile with a length of 7.3 meters and diameter of 420 mm weighing 1280 kgs, and a single stage solid propulsion system goes to a height of 35 kms before reaching the targets of the range of 150 kms in about 250 seconds. The missile equipped with state-of-the-art high accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation systems with latest onboard computer achieved terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters. 

The missile with a pay load of 200 kg has a fast reaction time, which is essential for the battle field tactical missile. The missile is launched from a Road Mobile System, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode in all directions covering the entire azimuth plane.    

The missile system is developed to provide Indian Army a cost effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battle field support tactical system.  The development of missile is carried out by the DRDO scientists in a short span of less than two years.

The flight path of the Missile was tracked and monitored by the various radar systems and electro optical systems located along the coast of Orissa.  An Indian naval ship located near target point in Bay of Bengal witnessed the final event.  The missile was developed by the DRDO Scientists with support from Indian Industry and Quality assurance agency MSQAA. 

The launch operations were witnessed by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri and Secretary Defence R & D,   Lt Gen Vinod Nayanar, AVSM, Director General of Artillery, IHQ of MoD (Army). The operations were over seen by Avinash Chander, Chief Controller R&D, V.L.N. Rao, Programme Director AD, S.K. Ray, Director RCI, and S.P. Dash, Director ITR. 

Defence Minister A.K. Antony congratulated the Scientists of DRDO for the successful maiden launch of the new missile.

Breaking on Tarmak007: Prahaar packs a punch, hits the target in 195 seconds

The maiden launch of DRDO's quick reaction, tactical missile Prahaaar has been a smashing hit. DRDO sources confirmed to Tarmak007 at 8.25 am that the missile, test-fired from the  Launch Complex (LC-III) of the Interim Test Range (ITR) in Balasore (Orissa), met all the parameters. "All systems performed very well and we couldn't have asked for more," sources said. The missile is said to have hit its target (150 km range) within 195 seconds (flight time) after the launch. The launch was around 8.15 am. More updates later.

DRDO hopes to impress Army with Prahaar punch; demo launch of tactical missile on July 21

Prahaar tactical missile will look the same as above, barring the writing on it and for some component(s). It is a spin-off of endo-atmospheric interceptor used for AD programme (above). Prahaar's minimum range is 50 km and maximum is 150 km. Photos: Tarmak007 Archives

The Launch Complex (LC-III) of the Interim Test Range (ITR) in Balasore (Orissa) is all set  for the maiden launch of India’s new tactical missile Prahaar. Sources confirm to Tarmak007 that this short-range missile is capable of hitting targets at a minimum distance of 50 km and maximum of 150 km.“Today we don’t have a good tactical missile for any conventional role. The Russian-made Smerch has a range of 90 km. Prahaar will be in the 90-plus-km-class, capable of carrying a payload of 200-250 kg,” sources tell Tarmak007. Prahaar is an offshoot of India’s AD programme. “It is a spin-off programme – a conversion of endo-atmospheric interceptor used for the AD,” sources said.

DRDO hopes to get a formal sanction for the programme subject to the successive launch of the first missile on July 21. “The programme is not yet sanctioned. What we are attempting is a demonstration launch for the user and only one missile will be tested. We will take the inputs from the user (Army) and make the necessary modifications needed. Then we will go for the final sanction,” sources said.

So what makes Prahaar different? Well, if one were go by what insiders tell Tarmak007 then Prahaar is an extremely cost-effective missile. It will be much cheaper than the BrahMos cruise missile. Since it uses solid propulsion systems, it will be on a ready-for-launch-mode any time. There won’t be any storage issues and the missile will be completely maintenance-free, taking it out of the periodic-checking issues. Load it on to a Canister system and fire it!

Being a road-mobile system, Prahaar can hit multiple targets at a time with the canister system (launcher) able to hold a maximum of 6 missiles. “All components and critical systems for this missile are available in India and it can be produced in large numbers at very short notice making it extremely cost-effective,” sources said.

“We have set a target in sea. Weather is not a concern and we have taken all necessary precautions. Just that clear weather would give us good data. For example, optical tracking will not be possible if it is cloudy. But, we have other options like telemetry and radar tracking,” sources added.

Close to 50 scientists and engineers, including many youngsters, have worked for the Prahaar project.