The Indian Air Force (IAF)successfully test fired the aerial version of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile from a Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.The test marked a major milestone to enhance its precision strike capability. The capability of the missile coupled with the superlative performance of the Su-30MKI aircraft gives the IAF the desired strategic reach.
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Supersonic BrahMos cruise missile:
The supersonic BrahMos cruise missile is a 2.5 tonne air-to-surface missile and it has a range of around 300 km, and it will significantly enhance the IAF's combat capability. The BrahMos cruise missile travels at a speed of Mach 2.8, nearly three times that of sound. The missile follows the desired trajectory before directly hitting the land target.
The BrahMos missile provides the IAF a much-desired capability to strike from large stand-off rangeson any target at sea or on land with pinpoint accuracy by day or night and in all weather conditions.
IAF's record:
The IAF became the first air force in the world to have successfully fired an air-launched 2.8 Mach surface attack missile of this category on a sea target on November 22, 2017. BrahMos cruise missile, which was test now, was the second such live launch of the weapon.
Developers of BrahMos, 2.8 Mach surface attack missile:
The software development of the aircraft was undertaken by IAF engineers, while the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd carried out mechanical and electrical modifications on it.
Despite such complex integrations, IAF, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd and HAL have proven the capability by dedicated and synergetic efforts.
BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces the supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or from land platforms.
Further expansion:
The IAF has already begun work to integrate the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on 40 Sukhoi combat aircraft. Once the project to integrate the weapon on the combat fleet is over, the IAF capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target in sea or land is expected to go up manifold.
