DRDO successfully flight tested its latest surface to surface Missile `PRAHAAR’ from Launch Complex III, off Chandipur Coast, ITR, Balasore, Orissa July 21. The Missile with a range of 150 kms, comparable to ATACMS Missile of United States of America, fills the vital gap between Multi Barrel Rockets and Medium Range Ballistic Missiles. The Missile capable of carrying different types of warheads, operates as battle field support system to the Indian Army.
The Missile with a length of 7.3 meters and diameter of 420 mm weighing 1280 kgs, and a single stage solid propulsion system went to a height of 35 kms before reaching the targets of the range of 150 kms in about 250 seconds. Equipped with state of the art high accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation systems with latest onboard computer, it achieved terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters.
The Missile with a pay load of 200 kgs has a fast reaction time, which is essential for the battle field tactical missile. The Missile was launched from a Road Mobile System, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode in all directions covering the entire azimuth plane.
The Missile system is developed to provide Indian Army a cost effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battle field support tactical system. The development of Missile was carried out by the DRDO Scientists in a short span of less than two years.
The flight path of the Missile was tracked and monitored by the various Radar systems and Electro Optical systems located along the coast of Orissa. An Indian Naval ship located near target point in Bay of Bengal witnessed the final event.
The launch operations were witnessed by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri and Secretary Defence R & D, Lt Gen Vinod Nayanar, AVSM, Director General of Artillery, IHQ of MoD (Army). A team of scientists headed by Shri Avinash Chander, Chief Controller R&D, DRDO coordinated the entire launching operations.
Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has congratulated the Scientists of DRDO for the successful maiden launch of the new Missile.
