IAF test sea target
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force (IAF) and BrahMos have jointly conducted two BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles tests on 17 Dec 2019, one each from land and air platforms.
The first missile launch was from a land based mobile launcher, where most of the components were indigenous, including the missile airframe, fuel management system and DRDO designed seeker.
The second launch of the missile was carried out by Indian Air force (IAF) from SU-30MKI platform against a sea target. The test conducted in user configuration, revalidated the ship attack capability of the advanced air-launched cruise missile.
During the test, the missile was gravity dropped from the air combat platform’s fuselage and the two-stage weapon’s engine fired up and the missile straightaway propelled towards the intended target positioned at the sea, piercing it with pin-point accuracy.
Earlier on 22 May 2019, the IAF had tested the missile against a land-based target in the Car Nicobar Islands region. The BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) promises to bolster the air combat capability of IAF from stand-off ranges. fiinews.com
