During this week, the Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully carried out the launch of one of its new NASM-SR anti-ship missiles from a Sea King helicopter, once again demonstrating its strike capabilities against naval targets. As officially reported by the DRDO, the test launch of the new system was conducted at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), located in the Chandipur region.
Expanding on the details, the tests involved firing the new NASM-SR missile at a long-range naval target, following a sea-skimming flight trajectory. To increase the difficulty of the evaluation, several vessels were placed near the actual mission target, requiring the pilot to initially lock onto a large-sized reference target before redirecting the missile towards a smaller target that constituted the designated threat to be neutralized.
To ensure its impact, the new weapon system utilized its advanced domestically produced infrared seeker for target identification and a broadband bidirectional data link, allowing real-time image transmission to the pilot for mid-course corrections if necessary. This capability is further enabled by the integration of a new guidance system, which includes a fiber-optic gyroscope and a radio altimeter to adjust its orientation post-launch. The missile’s trajectory can be altered using its onboard avionics module, which activates electromechanical mechanisms to adjust its control surfaces.
Regarding its technical specifications, the new Indian anti-ship missile features a solid propulsion system, enhanced by an inline jettisonable booster and a long-duration combustion sustainer. With this design, the NASM-SR can reach speeds of up to Mach 0.8 and a maximum range of 55 kilometers, carrying a PCB-type explosive warhead.
Finally, it is worth noting that while India is currently utilizing its Sea King helicopters to conduct NASM-SR missile tests, these systems are expected to be integrated into the arsenal of the new MH-60R helicopters acquired from the United States as their replacement in the near future. With the contract finalized in 2020, the new aircraft will arrive equipped with the capability to deploy missiles and torpedoes, as well as the APS-153 multimode radar and components for deploying sonobuoys as required.
Cover image: DRDO
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