DRDO Conducts Successful Maiden Flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence Interceptor off Odisha Coast
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful maiden flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor AD-1 missile with large kill altitude bracket from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on November 02, 2022. The flight-test was carried out with participation of all BMD weapon system elements located at different geographical locations.
The AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft. It is propelled by a two-stage solid motor and equipped with indigenously-developed advanced control system, navigation and guidance algorithm to precisely guide the vehicle to the target.
During the flight-test, all the sub-systems performed as per expectations and were validated by the data captured by a number of range sensors including Radar, Telemetry and Electro Optical Tracking stations deployed to capture the flight data.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and other teams associated with successful flight trial of AD-1. He termed it as a unique type of interceptor with advanced technologies available with a very few nations in the world. He exuded confidence that it will further strengthen the country’s BMD capability to the next level.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated his team on the successful trial, stating that this interceptor will provide great operational flexibility to the users and having capability to engage many different types of targets.
About AD (Air Defense)-1:
- The AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile.
- AD-1 is a unique type of interceptor with advanced technologies available with only a very few nations in the world.
- It is designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.
- It is propelled by a two-stage solid motor and equipped with an indigenously-developed advanced control system, navigation, and guidance algorithm to precisely guide the vehicle to the target.
Apprehensions:
- BMD is ineffective against Cruise missiles. Both China and Pakistan have cruise missile capable of delivering the nuclear payload.
- No BMD can have a 100% success rate in the interception of the projectile (ballistic missile).
- BMD is a very costly affair.
- Even after interception there remain chances of damage, especially if the interception is done in the terminal phase of the ballistic missile.
What’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System?
- A Ballistic Missile Defence system (BMD) is a missile defense system that acts as a shield against ballistic missile attacks.
- You may not that the purpose is defense (by intercepting a ballistic missile) and not attack/offense.
- A ballistic missile can be intercepted in three phases:
- Terminal phase: During the atmospheric descent phase.
- Mid-course interception (in-flight interception): Most preferred interception.
- Lift-off phase: Targeting at the launch point- requires advanced radars.
Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme:
- The Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defense system to protect India from ballistic missile attacks.
- It was launched in 2000 after Kargil War by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
- India has an active ABM development effort using indigenously developed and integrated radars, and indigenous missiles.
- In November 2006, India successfully conducted the PADE (Prithvi Air Defence Exercise) in which an anti-ballistic missile, called the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD), an exo-atmospheric (outside the atmosphere) interceptor system, intercepted a Prithvi-II ballistic missile.
Two- tiers of India’s BMD
| Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) | Advanced Air Defense (AAD) |
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