Rocket modified for accuracy
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has flight-tested Pinaka Missile System, an Artillery Missile System capable of striking into enemy territory up to a range of 75 kilometres with high precision.
It was flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast, on 19 Dec 2019.
The Pinaka MK-II Rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with the Navigation, Control and Guidance System to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range. The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
The mission achieved all the objectives including enhancing the range, accuracy and sub-system functionality. The missile was fired from Pinaka launcher system in deployment configuration.
The flight article was tracked by multiple range systems viz. Telemetry, Radars, Electro-optical targeting system (EOTS), etc. which confirmed the text-book flight performance.
The missile system has been jointly developed by various DRDO Laboratories viz. Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL). fiinews.com
