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The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) was an Indian Ministry of Defence program between the early 1980s and 2007 for the development of a comprehensive range of missiles, including the intermediate range Agni missile (Surface to Surface), and short range missiles such as the Prithvi ballistic missile (Surface to Surface), Akash missile (Surface to Air), Trishul missile (Surface to Air) and Nag Missile (Anti Tank). The program was managed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in partnership with other Indian government labs and research centres. One of the most prominent chief engineers on the project, Dr. Abdul Kalam went on to become the President of India.[1] The project was started in early 1980s and resulted in the development of several key strategic missiles. The last major missile developed under the program was Agni 3 intermediate-range ballistic missile which was successfully tested on 9 July 2007.[2] On 8 January 2008, and after the third test of Agni-3 on 7 May 2008, the DRDO announced that it will be closing the IGMDP program formally since most of the missiles in the program have been developed and inducted into Indian armed forces.[3] According to a statement by Dr. S Pralhada, the Director of DRDO, new missile and weapons systems will be developed in new five-year programs and include both Indian private industries as well as foreign partners to lower costs. DRDO has independently continued further development work on Nag and Surya missile.[4] In 2008, India noted that the strategic integrated guided missile program was completed with its design objectives achieved. Follow on strategic projects are being either pursued singly (e.g. Agni project) whereas tactical systems could involve joint ventures with even foreign partners.[5]
[edit] Missiles in Indian history Tipu Sultan's troops rout the British using rockets in 1780 at the Battle of Guntur. The closely massed, British troops broke and ran when the Mysore army laid down a rocket barrage in their midst. The use of rockets and missiles by Indians in modern times dates back to the 18th century, during the period of ruler Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Fighting the British East India company, Tipu Sultan's Army used variety of rockets in supporting role(See Tipu Sultan). It was world's first use of rockets for fighting modern wars which was later developed further by the British against.[6] In the Second Anglo-Mysore war, at the Battle of Pollilur (10 September 1780), an entire British detachment lead by Colonel Baillie was destroyed resulting in 3,820 soldiers being taken prisoner including Colonel Bailli. At the Battle of Srirangapattana in 1792, Mysorean soldiers launched a barrage of rockets against British troops, followed by an assault of 36,000 men. Later at the battle of Srirangapattana during the fourth Anglo-Mysore war, in April 1799, British forces retreated from the battlefield when attacked by rockets and musket fire of Tipu Sultan's army[7]. Tipu's rockets had been fully integrated into his Army, which were under special Rocket Brigades called Kushoons. These were extremely effective in battle, inflicting losses on British forces. These rockets were later re-engineered by William Congreve and known in Britain as Congreve Rockets. [edit] Twentieth centuryIn the twentieth century, the government of independent India embarked on a number of plans to develop missiles which would strengthen India's defences. In 1958, the government constituted the Special Weapons Development Team which would later become the Defence Research and Development Laboratories (DRDL), to undertake the development of first-generation anti-tank missiles. In the 1970s, the Indian government decided to manufacture anti-tank missiles under license from France. At the same time, DRDL was entrusted with two other projects: Project Valiant, which involved the development of a long-range ballistic missile; and Project devil, which was aimed at reverse engineering the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile. Both projects were terminated prematurely; Project Valiant was terminated in 1974 and Project Devil met the same fate in 1980.[8] However, by this time, DRDL had developed some infrastructure and facilities to undertake the design and development of missiles. In 1983, under the experience and leadership of Dr. Abdul Kalam, who had previously been the project director for the SLV-3 programme at ISRO, the Indian government revived the missile program as an Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). As part of this program, the Interim Test Range at Balasore in Orissa was developed for missile testing. India on Tuesday 07, 2008 announced the closing of the strategic integrated guided missile programme, and said the development and production of most of futuristic weapons systems would henceforth be taken up with foreign partnerships.[5] The main aim of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program was to develop, a missile in five different categories simultaneously, namely: a short-range surface-to-air missile (codenamed Trishul), a medium-range surface-to-air missile (codenamed Akash), a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (codenamed Nag), a short-range surface-to-surface missile (codenamed Prithvi), and an intermediate-range surface-to-surface missile (codenamed Agni).[9] There were a number of failures and successes, which led to an expansion of the program in the 1990s, to develop the long range Agni missile, a ballistic missile (codenamed Sagarika), which would be the naval version of the Prithvi, and an inter-continental-ballistic-missile (codenamed Surya) with a range of 8,000-12,000 km.[10] In 1998, the Government of India, signed an agreement with Russia to design, develop, manufacture and market a Supersonic Cruise Missile System which has been successfully accomplished by 2006. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. At speeds of Mach 2.5 to 2.8, it is the world's fastest cruise missile and is about three and a half times faster than the American subsonic Harpoon cruise missile. BAPL is contemplating a hypersonic Mach 8 version of the missile, named as the BrahMos II. BrahMos II will be the first hypersonic cruise missile and is expected to be ready by 2012-13. The laboratory testing of the missile has started.(codenamed BrahMos).[11] [edit] Agni missile systemMain article: Agni missile system The Agni missile (from Sanskrit अग्नि Agnī "Fire", one of the 5 elements of nature) is an IRBM developed under the IGMDP by India. It was first tested at the Interim Test Range in Chandipur in 1989, and is capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1000 kg (2,200 lb) or a nuclear warhead. It consists of one (short range) or two stages (intermediate range). It is rail and road mobile. It is powered by solid and/or liquid propellants. Agni-III is the third in the Agni series of missiles. The Agni I has a range of 700–800 km while the Agni-II as a range of 2,000–2,500 km. They are claimed to be a part of the "credible deterrence" against Pakistan and China. The Agni-II can only reach some parts of western China and Asia. The last test (Agni-II) took place in May 2009.[12] Agni III is expected to be India's nuclear deterrent against People's Republic of China. Agni III development began when relations with China were still negative. However, the rapid improvement in friendly relations between the two nations has reduced the need for rapid deployment of the missile. An operational Agni-III was tested on July 9, 2006 from Wheeler island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa. After the launch, it was reported that the second stage of the rocket had failed to separate and the missile had fallen well short of its target.[13] It can hit strategic targets deep inside China, including Shanghai and Beijing with a strike range of 3,500 km. It falls short of the range of ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) which have ranges over 5000 km. As reported earlier, a new type of steel that will help to increase the range from 15 to 30% was developed.[14] On 12 April 2007 Agni-III missile was tested successfully [15] and again on 7 May 2008.[16] Agni III the ninth missile in the Agni series to have been tested. The first was tested in May 1989. A new Agni-V missile with 5000–6000 km range is being developed. This missile is the modified version of the Agni-III missile with another stage. This missile is called the Agni-III* (Agni-III star).[17] [edit] Prithvi missile systemMain article: Prithvi missile The Prithvi missile (from Sanskrit पृथ्वी pṛthvī "Earth") is the tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The Prithvi was India's first indigenously developed ballistic missile. Development of the Prithvi began in 1983, and it was first test-fired on February 25, 1988 from Sriharikota, SHAR Centre, Pottisreeramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. It has a range of up to 150 to 300 km. The land variant is called Prithvi while the naval operational variant of Prithvi I and Prithvi II class missiles are codenamed Dhanush (meaning Bow). Both variants are used for surface targets. The Prithvi is said to have its propulsion technology derived from the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile[citation needed]. Variants make use of either liquid or both liquid and solid fuels. Developed as a battlefield missile, it could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon. [edit] Variants of PrithviThe Prithvi missile project encompassed developing three variants for use by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, outlined in the initial project framework of the IGMDP.[18]
Over the years these specifications underwent a number of changes. While the codename Prithvi stands for any missile inducted by India into its armed forces in this category, the later developmental versions Prithvi II and Prithvi III were the codenames used for the Army and Air Force versions, while the versions for the Navy were spun off into separate projects. The Prithvi I class of missiles were inducted into the Indian Army in 1994, while Prithvi II with an extended range was being inducted in 2006. [edit] Prithvi IPrithvi I class was a single stage liquid-fuelled surface-to-surface missile with a maximum warhead payload of 1000 kg and a range of 250 km. It has an accuracy of 10 - 50 metres and can be launched from Transporter erector launchers. This class of Prithvi missile was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994. [edit] Prithvi IIPrithvi II class is also a single stage liquid-fuelled missile with maximum payload of 1000 kg, but with an extended range of 350 kilometres (155 statute miles). It was developed with the Indian Air Force being the primary user. It was first test-fired on January 27, 1996 and the development stages were completed in 2004. The Prithvi II class of missiles are in the process of induction by the Indian Airforce.[19] It has been tested again on 12 Oct 2009 as part of User trials. [20] [edit] SagarikaPrithvi III class was spun off as Sagarika (Sanskrit: सागिरका meaning Oceanic).[21] This is a two-stage surface-to-surface missile for launch from naval ships and submarines. The first stage is solid fuelled with a 16 metric ton force (157 kN) thrust motor. The second stage is liquid fuelled. The missile can carry a payload of 1000 kg to a distance of 350 km and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of 600 kilometres and a 250 kilogram warhead up to a distance of 750 kilometres. Sagarika will be a nuclear-capable, cruise missile, capable of being mounted in ships or submarines. Considering the upward capability developments, Prithvi class of missiles could be reclassified from short-range ballistic missile to a medium range ballistic missile. The current codename of the operational variant Dhanush could pave way for the new codename Sagarika as Sagarika becomes operational. Dhanush was successfully tested on March 30, 2007. Sagarika will be inducted into the Advanced Technology Vessel being developed for Indian Navy.[22] There were a number of shortcoming in the initial version of Prithvi missiles namely, High circular error probability (CEP) of around 500 meters and volatility of the liquid-fuelled propulsion system requiring fuelling only just before launching. These shortcomings were overcome in the later developmental versions through improved navigation systems into the missiles to reduce the CEP to as low as 10 to 15 meters and through use of solid fuel in the propulsion system.[23] [edit] DhanushThe Dhanush is a Naval variant of the Prithvi short-range ballistic missile intended for launch from surface ships. The development phase included the launch of three developmental Dhanush missiles. The fourth launch was carried out successfully on March 30, 2007, with the ballistic missile performing as expected. The Indian Navy is pursuing the Dhanush as a high precision strike weapon capable of striking both sea and shore based targets to be deployed on its surface ships.The defense ministry is planning to make variants of Dhanush with strike ranges 250-500 km and payload upto 750 kg.The 500 km variant will have reduced payload to extend range. Defence Ministry officials have said that the 8.53 metre-long and 0.9 meter wide Dhanush, with a strike range of 350 km and payload capacity of 500 kg, would "soon be operationalised" in the Navy. "the telemetry and tracking network have established that the technology demonstrator (missile) met its entire mission objective,". "the missile was launched from the warship near balasore off the orissa coast," . scientists and naval officers tracked the missile right from its take off till the impact point at sea. the missile, indigenously developed by the defence research and development organisation (drdo) for the navy, was launched for the first time on April 11 2000. the launch was the second in a series of flight tests aimed to gauge the missile's parameters. On December 13 2009 Dhanush was re-tested by launching it from INS Subhadra ship.The test was hailed as a complete success. source:- http://www.drdo.com/Missiles/dhanush.htm [edit] Pradyumna Ballistic MissileMain article: Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program The Prithvi Air Defense missile has been named as Pradyumna Ballistic Missile . source:- [edit] Akash missile systemMain article: Akash missile Akash (Sanskrit: आकाश meaning Sky) is a medium range surface-to-air missile developed as part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program to achieve self-sufficiency in the area of surface-to-air missiles. It is the most expensive missile project ever undertaken by the Union government in the 20th century. Development costs skyrocketed to almost $120 million which is far more than other similar systems.[24] Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile with an intercept range of 30 km. It has a launch weight of 720 kg, a diameter of 35 cm and a length of 5.8 metres. Akash flies at supersonic speed, reaching around Mach 2.5. It can reach an altitude of 18 km. A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 55 kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated. It is propelled by a solid fuelled booster stage. The missile has a terminal guidance system capable of working through electronic countermeasures. The entire Akash SAM system allows for attacking multiple targets (up to 4 per Battery). The Akash missile's use of ramjet propulsion system allows it to maintain its speed without deceleration, unlike the Patriot missiles.[25] The missile is supported by a multi-target and multi-function phased array fire control radar called the 'Rajendra' with a range of about 80 km in search, and 60 km in terms of engagement.[26] The missile is completely guided by the Radar, without any active guidance of its own. This allows it greater capability against jamming as the aircraft self protection jammer would have to work against the high power Rajendra, and the aircraft being attacked is not alerted by any terminal seeker on the Akash itself. Design of the missile is similar to that of the SA-6 with four long tube ramjet inlet ducts mounted mid-body between wings. For pitch/yaw control four clipped triangular moving wings are mounted on mid-body. For roll control four inline clipped delta fins with ailerons are mounted before the tail. However, internal schema shows a completely modernised layout, including an Onboard computer with special optimized trajectories, and an all digital Proximity fuse. The Akash system meant for the Army uses the T-72 tank chassis for its launcher and radar vehicles. The Rajendra derivative for the Army is called the Battery Level Radar-III. The Air Force version uses an Ashok Leyland truck platform to tow the missile launcher, while the Radar is on a BMP-2 chassis and is called the Battery Level Radar-II. In either case, the launchers carry three ready-to-fire Akash missiles each. The launchers are automated, autonomous and networked to a command post and the guidance radar. They are slewable in azimuth and elevation. The Akash system can be deployed by rail, road or air. The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997. The IAF has initiated the process to induct the Akash and Trishul surface-to-air missiles developed as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The Multiple target handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in a C4I environment during the trials. Two Akash missiles intercepted two fast moving targets in simultaneous engagement mode in 2005 itself. The Akash System's 3-D central acquisition radar (3-D car) group mode performance was then fully established.[27][28] In December,2007 Indian Air Force completed user trials for the Akash missile system. The trials, which were spread over ten days were successful and the missile hit its target on all five occasions. Before the ten day trial at Chandipur, the Akash system's ECCM Evaluation tests were carried out at Gwalior Air force base while mobility trials for the system vehicles were carried out at Pokhran. The IAF had evolved the user Trial Directive to verify the Akash's consistency in engaging targets. The following trials were conducted: Against low flying near range target, long range high altitude target, crossing and approaching target and ripple firing of two missiles from the same launcher against a low altitude receding target.[29] Following this, the IAF declared that it would initiate the induction of 2 squadrons strength (each squadron with 2 batteries) of this missile system, to begin with. Once deliveries are complete, further orders would be placed to replace retiring SA-3 GOA (Pechora) SAM systems.[30][31] Official website for Akash SAM www.akashsam.com [edit] Trishul missile systemMain article: Trishul Missile Trishul (Sanskrit त्रिशूल meaning trident) is the name of a short range surface-to-air missile developed by India as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. It has a range of 9 km and is fitted with a 5.5 kg warhead. Designed to be used against low-level (sea skimming) targets at short range, the system has been developed to defend naval vessels against missiles and also as a short range surface to air missile on land. Guidance consists of three different guiding beams, with the guidance handed over progressively to a narrower beam as the missile approaches the target. According to reports, the range of the missile is 12 km and is fitted with a 15 kg warhead. The weight of the missile is 130 kg. The length of the missile is 3.1 m[32]. Development costs of the missile touched almost $70 million to the taxpayers.India had Officially shut down Trishul Missile project on February 27, 2008.[1]The programme of surface-to-air Trishul missile, one of the five missiles being developed by Defense Research and Development Organization, is being shelved. Defence Minister George Fernandes today appeared to indicate that in Rajya Sabha when he said Trishul missile had been delinked from user service, though it would be continued as a technology demonstrator.[33] [edit] Nag missile systemMain article: Nag Missile Nag (Sanskrit: नाग meaning serpent) is India's third generation "Fire-and-forget" anti-tank missile. It is an all weather, top attack missile with a range of 3 to 7 km. The missile uses an 8 kg tandem HEAT warhead capable of defeating modern armour including ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour) and composite armour. Nag uses Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) guidance with day and night capability. Mode of launch for the IIR seeker is LOBL (Lock On Before Launch). Nag can be mounted on an infantry vehicle; a helicopter launched version will also be available with integration work being carried out with the HAL Dhruv. Separate versions for the Army and the Air Force are being developed. For the Army, the missiles will be carried by specialist carrier vehicles (NAMICA-Nag Missile Carrier) equipped with a thermal imager for target acquisition. NAMICA is a modified BMP-1 ICV licence produced as "Sarath" in India. The carriers are capable of carrying four ready-to-fire missiles in the observation/launch platform which can be elevated with more missiles available for reload within the carrier. For the Air Force, a nose-mounted thermal imaging system has been developed for guiding the missile's trajectory. The missile has a complete fiberglass structure and weighs around 42 kg. Nag was test fired for the 45th time on March 19, 2005 from the Test Range at Ahmednagar (Maharastra), signalling the completion of the developmental phase. It will now enter production phase, subject to user trials and acceptance by the Indian Army. Further versions of the missile may make use of an all-weather Milli Metric Wave (MMW) seeker as an additional option. This seeker has reportedly been developed and efforts are on to integrate it into the missile. [edit] Specifications (Nag Missile)Total length: 1.90 m (6.23 ft) [edit] Shaurya Missile SystemMain article: Shaurya missile The Shaurya missile is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed by DRDO for use by the Indian Army. Capable of hypersonic speeds, it has a range of 600 km and is capable of carrying a payload of one-tonne conventional or nuclear warhead. It can hit targets deep inside Pakistan and China,both nations having unsettled disputes with India.[34] The Shaurya missile provides India with a significant second strike capability[35]. The missile was tested in Novermber of 2008 Shaurya missile is a land version of the under-water launched K-15 missile,Sagarika.[36][37] This missile is stored in a composite canister just like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The composite canister makes the missile much easier to store for long periods without maintenance as well as to handle and transport. It also houses the gas generator to eject the missile from the canister before its solid propellant motors take over to hurl it at the intended target. Shaurya missiles can remain hidden or camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites till they are fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters. DRDO Defence scientists admit that given Shaurya's limited range at present, either the silos will have to be constructed closer to India's borders or longer-range canisterised missiles will have to be developed.The Shaurya system will require some more tests before it becomes fully operational in two-three years. Moreover, defence scientists say the high-speed, two-stage Shaurya has high manoeuvrability which also makes it less vulnerable to existing anti-missile defence systems.[38] [edit] Other developmentsThe expertise and technology developed through the IGMDP is also used in the new Anti ballistic missile called the Exoatmospheric interceptor system which successfully intercepted a Prithvi-II ballistic missile.[39] India became the fourth nation in the world to acquire such a capability and the third nation to develop it through indigenous effort. In December 2007, India successfully tested the Endoatmospheric version which destroyed a modified Prithvi-II missile at 15 km altitude with text-book perfection thereby completing what is known as Multi-layered Theatrical Wide-area Air Defence system that can successfully target and destroy all kinds of Aerial threats from low flying cruise missiles, supersonic short-range, intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles at altitudes of 15 to 50+ km at any angle and azimuth. India is said to be in the intermediate stages of developing a new cruise missile, Nirbhay (Sanskrit: निर्भय meaning fearless). The subsonic Nirbhay is said to be 6 m in length with a 520 mm diameter, weigh 1,000 kg and have a 1,000 km range with a speed of 0.7 mach. The technology demonstrator flight is planned for end-2009.[40] So far in the case of ABM system there has been three successful tests. This can lead to the possibility of an antimissile shield system.After the third test in early 2009, it was concluded that one or two more anti ballistic missile tests were needed after which operationlization could take another 4 years. In September 2008, Indian scientists developed a path-breaking technology that has the potential to increase the range of missiles and satellite launch vehicles by at least 40%.The enhanced range is made possible by adding a special-purpose coating of chromium metal to the blunt nose cone of missiles and launch vehicles. This would add-up on the stated range. [edit] References
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