Wikipedia

VL-SRSAM

For the air-to-air variant of the missile, seeAstra (missile).

TheVertical Launch – Short Range Surface to Air Missile,orVL-SRSAMis a quick reactionsurface-to-air missiledeveloped by the IndianDefence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO).[5]

VL-SRSAM
VL-SRSAM being tested from vertical launch system byDRDO.
TypeSurface-to-air missile
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2022(2022)
Used byIndian Navy
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Laboratory(DRDO)
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
Mass170 kg (370 lb)
Length3.93 m (12.9 ft)
Diameter178 mm (7.0 in)
Wingspan508 mm (20.0 in)
WarheadHigh-explosivepre-fragmentedHMX/PU[1]
Detonation
mechanism
Radio proximity fuze
EngineSolid-propellant rocket
PropellantSolid fuel
Operational
range
80 km[2]
Flight altitude16 km (52,000 ft)[3]
Maximum speedMach4.5[4]
Guidance
system
Mid-course:Fibre-optic gyrobasedinertial navigation systemwithmid-course updateviadatalink.
Terminal:Active radar homing
Launch
platform
Surface Ship

During mid-course flight, the missile usesfibre-optic gyroscopebasedinertial guidancemechanism while in terminal phase usesactive radar homing.With lock on before launch (LOBL) andlock on after launch(LOAL) capability, the missile receivesmid-course updateviadatalink.VL-SRSAM intended to replace olderBarak 1surface to air missile system onboard Indian Navy warships.[6]It will also be used as short range air defence system for Indian Air Force.[7]

Design

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VL-SRSAM is based onAstraMark 1air-to-air missilewith fourshort-spanlong-chordcruciform wingsthat provideaerodynamicstability. It also includes additionaljet vane driven thrust vector controlto enable quick reaction time on vertical launch and smokeless exhaust.[8]VL-SRSAM conceived for area andpoint-defencerole to save naval platforms. EachVertical Launch System(VLS) can hold forty missiles in a twin quad-pack canister configuration carrying eight missiles each forhot launchthat can be installed in an arrangement of multiple launch systems based on availability of space on the ship. The missile is for neutralizing various aerial threats at medium and close ranges, includingfighter aircraftandsea skimminganti-ship missiles.[9]With its 360° interception capability, as an integrated missile and weapon control system (WCS), it can identify and neutralize threats coming from all directions. Even though a short-range air defense missile was the original goal, the VL-SRSAM is a medium-range air defense system. Its attack range of 40 km has been increased to 80 km. The missile is said to be fitted in destroyers, frigates, corvettes and aircraft carriers.[10][11][12]

Defence Research and Development Laboratory(DRDL),Research & Development Establishment (Engineers),Research Centre Imarat(RCI) and some private sector industries were involved in the design and development of the missile system as part of Development cum Production Partner programme (DCPP).[6][13]VL-SRSAM superseded the cancelledMaitri missileproject undertaken jointly byMBDAand DRDO based on the work done onMICAandTrishul.[14]The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at theNational Aerospace Laboratories' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.[15]

In 2024, DRDO developed anIAF-specific 8×2 truck-mounted variant. It has been developed for defending frontline airbases in conjunction withAkash system.[16][17]

Testing

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  • 22 February 2021:Maiden test firing of VL-SRSAM. DRDO successfully test fired twoVL-SRSAMatIntegrated Test Range(ITR) inChandipur,off the coast ofOdisha.The launch tested the efficacy of vertical launch system and missile's maximum and minimum range. Both the missile successfully intercepted their target with pin point accuracy.[18]
  • 7 December 2021:VL-SRSAMwas successfully tested by DRDO from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The launch was conducted from a vertical launcher against an electronic target at a very low altitude. The launch was conducted to validate integrated operation of all weapon system components including the vertical launcher unit with controller, canisterised flight vehicle, weapon control system etc.[19]
    First shipborne test of VLSRSAM
  • 24 June 2022:DRDO announced that India has successfully test-fired the VL-SRSAM from an Indian Naval Ship Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The launch of the system was conducted against a high-speed aerial target mimicking aircraft, which was successfully engaged.[20]
  • 23 August 2022:DRDO and Indian Navy successfully flight tested VL-SRSAM from the ITR, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on. The flight test was carried out from an Indian Naval Ship against a high-speed unmanned aerial target for demonstration of vertical launch capability. The missiles, equipped with indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, intercepted the target with high accuracy.[21]
  • 2023:DRDO test fired VL-SRSAM from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur on an unknown date as per a press release.[22]
  • 12 September 2024:DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully carried out the VL-SRSAM user associate trial from ITR, Chandipur. The test was conducted against a low-altitude, high-speed aerial target from a land-based vertical launcher. The target was successfully tracked and engaged. The purpose of this test was to verify several improved components, including Seeker and Proximity Fuse.[23][12]
  • 13 September 2024:The Indian Navy and DRDO conducted a successful follow-up VL-SRSAM user associate trial against a high-speed sea-skimming aerial target.[24][25][26]

Operators

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India

See also

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References

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  1. ^Aroor, Shiv."How India's ASTRA Air-To-Air Missile Is Quietly Killing It".Livefist Defence.Retrieved30 August2020.
  2. ^"Ministry Of Defence - Year end review 2023".pib.gov.in.22 December 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2023.Retrieved22 December2023.
  3. ^"VL-SRSAM missile system successfully test-fired".The Indian Express.25 June 2022.Retrieved27 June2022.
  4. ^Bhardwaj, Tarun (17 September 2019)."Deadly weapon! IAF successfully test-fires air-to-air missile Astra from Sukhoi-30 combat aircrafts [sic]".Financial Express.Retrieved30 August2020.
  5. ^Rout, Hemant K."Maiden test of Vertically Launched SRSAM from ITR off Odisha coast likely today".The New Indian Express.The New Indian Express.Retrieved22 February2021.
  6. ^ab"DRDO conducts first launch of the VL-SRSAM".The Week.Retrieved22 February2021.
  7. ^"DRDO successfully launches VL-SRSAM twice | India News - Times of India".The Times of India.PTI. 22 February 2021.Retrieved22 February2021.
  8. ^Kulkarni, Sushant (11 December 2021)."Explained: What is the vertical launch surface to air missile that India has successfully test-fired?".The Indian Express.Retrieved11 December2021.
  9. ^"Navy's Surface-To-Air Missile Test-Fired, Can Hit Sea-Skimming Targets".NDTV.Retrieved23 February2021.
  10. ^"DRDO successfully launches Surface to Air Missile capable of neutralising aerial threats".Zee News.22 February 2021.Retrieved23 February2021.
  11. ^Rout, Hemant Kumar (22 February 2021)."Maiden test of Vertically Launched SRSAM from ITR off Odisha coast likely today".The New Indian Express.Retrieved22 February2021.
  12. ^abRout, Hemant Kumar (12 September 2024)."India successfully test-fires short-range surface-to-air missile for Navy".The New Indian Express.Retrieved12 September2024.
  13. ^"DRDO opens up missile production partnership for Indian private sector".The Times of India.6 April 2021.Retrieved6 April2021.
  14. ^Rout, Hemant Kumar (23 February 2021)."DRDO conducts successful flight test of VL-SRSAM".The New Indian Express.Retrieved23 February2021.
  15. ^"Bengaluru: 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel at National Aerospace Laboratories completes 55 years of service".ANI.6 June 2022.Retrieved22 November2024.
  16. ^Bhatia, Aditi (3 September 2024)."DRDO's VL-SRSAM System Set to Enhance IAF's Air Defense Capabilities".PUNE.NEWS.Retrieved5 September2024.
  17. ^"How DRDO's 8×2 Truck-Mounted System for VL-SRSAM will Boost IAF's Defence Against Low Altitude Aerial Threats".Defence.in.4 September 2024.Retrieved5 September2024.
  18. ^"Successful Launches of VL-SRSAM Missile System"(Press release). PIB. 22 February 2021.
  19. ^"Successful Flight Test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile"(Press release). PIB. 7 December 2021.
  20. ^"India successfully test-fires VL-SRSAM from Indian Naval Ship off Odisha coast: DRDO"(Press release). Times Now. 24 June 2022.
  21. ^"DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight-test Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile off Odisha coast".pib.gov.in.Retrieved23 August2022.
  22. ^"MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - YEAR END REVIEW 2023".Press Information Bureau.22 December 2023.Retrieved24 December2023.
  23. ^"DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight test Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile off Odisha coast".Press Information Bureau.Ministry of Defence. 12 September 2024.Retrieved12 September2024.
  24. ^"DRDO & Indian Navy achieve back-to-back success with 2nd consecutive flight test of VLSRSAM off Odisha coast".Press Information Bureau.Ministry of Defence. 13 September 2024.Retrieved13 September2024.
  25. ^Bharatshakti, Team (13 September 2024)."DRDO's VLSRSAM Project Achieves Second Consecutive Flight Test Success".Bharat Shakti.Retrieved13 September2024.
  26. ^@DRDO_India (13 September 2024)."DRDO & Indian Navy scores back-to-back Successfully Flight Tests of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM) on 12 & 13th Sep 2024..."(Tweet).Retrieved13 September2024– viaTwitter.
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