India's Akash SAM validates simultaneous intercept capability

HYDERABAD: India joined a select group of nations on Saturday with the successful demonstration of the simultaneous intercept capability of the Akash surface-to-air weapon system against two live flying targets.

The weapon system was flight tested at 12.30 p.m. against a pilotless target aircraft Lakshya and its tow body, which was trailing behind at a distance of 1.5 km at the Interim Test Range, Chandipur-on-Sea. The intercept occurred at a slant range of about 20 km and an altitude of about 5 km.

Objectives of the test

Two missiles fitted with warheads were used in the test, which was witnessed by senior scientists of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), user representatives of the Army, Air Force and Integrated Defence staff, according to a press release issued by the DRDO.

"The objectives of the test were to demonstrate the simultaneous intercept capability of Akash weapon system against two aerial targets flying at 550 kmph, closely spaced apartboth in range and azimuth," it said.

The test is a milestone towards production clearance of the weapon system and all the objectives set for the test have been achieved. "This is a very significant milestone in technology and management for defence R&D in the country considering that there are only a very few countries in the world who have demonstrated such multitarget handling capability against live flying targets," the release said.

Automated mode of operation

The full complement of the ground system, consisting of surveillance radars, control centres, multifunction phased array weapon control radar (Rajendra) and mobile launchers, were included in a comprehensive test configuration. The tests were done in a fully automated mode of operation.

The missiles were produced at Bharat Dynamics Limited here while Lakshya was developed by the DRDO and HAL.

The surveillance radars tracked the targets and cued the weapon control radar. Subsequently, the targets were tracked by Rajendra radar after slewing towards the target direction.

The software decided the instant of launch as well as the direction of launch of the missiles. Launchers were automatically slewed in azimuth and elevation.

The missiles were launched, acquired and simultaneously guided within the specified accuracies to intercept both the targets.

The radio proximity fuse onboard the missile detonated the warhead to achieve target destruction.

"considering that there are only a very few countries in the world who have demonstrated such multitarget handling capability against live flying targets"

what?

vincelee said:

"considering that there are only a very few countries in the world who have demonstrated such multitarget handling capability against live flying targets"

what?

Click to expand...

India joined a select group of nations on Saturday with the successful demonstration of the simultaneous intercept capability of the Akash surface-to-air weapon system against two live flying targets.


"The objectives of the test were to demonstrate the simultaneous intercept capability of Akash weapon system against two aerial targets flying at 550 kmph, closely spaced apartboth in range and azimuth," it said.


Most older systems tend to detect two closely flying jets as a single target , this is good tactic to fool the missile , these jets seperates after a certain time when the missile is being launched . So the missile gets fooled , it cannot get the required radar signature where it did locked and generally its too far for its IR seeker !!!

This thing happened at least once during Falklands .

thanks, but I can read.

Last time I checked, every single SAM system fielded in the last 15 years had multi target engagement capabilities. I mean seriously. Besides, flying 2 missiles too close, and you risk running into blast fragments.

And who the hell are the "few"? There aren't that many weapon suppliers out there, and every single one of them is capable of providing resolution large enough to discriminate two close targets.

(btw, you know you can't fly 2 missiles, especially air breathing ones, too close, right?)

vincelee said:

thanks, but I can read.

Last time I checked, every single SAM system fielded in the last 15 years had multi target engagement capabilities. I mean seriously.
And who the hell are the "few"? There aren't that many weapon suppliers out there, and every single one of them is capable of providing resolution large enough to discriminate two close targets.

Click to expand...

Yup US,Russia,France,Israel and probably China(really I donno abt China) has this domestic(not lisenced products) multi targeting SAMs , indeed few !!!

By range and payload Akash comes in to comparison to Patriots(ie medium range SAMs), but a lot of work is to be done make it to PAC3 standards . And thats why Us agreed to sell PACs to India seeing oneday India could make them .Whereas India wants the tech(not the missile) in order to integrate them with Akash !!!

Akash is based on Pechora missile(but not a copy) which India is using for decades . Currently Akash represent better capability than that of upgraded Pechoras . Akash, when fully operational, will replace current Pechoras .

vincelee said:

Besides, flying 2 missiles too close, and you risk running into blast fragments.

(btw, you know you can't fly 2 missiles, especially air breathing ones, too close, right?)

Click to expand...

How the missiles approact the targets its decided by the mission computer. Generally different paths are used and they don't fly too close !!!

ArjunMk1 said:

India joined a select group of nations on Saturday with the successful demonstration of the simultaneous intercept capability of the Akash surface-to-air weapon system against two live flying targets.


"The objectives of the test were to demonstrate the simultaneous intercept capability of Akash weapon system against two aerial targets flying at 550 kmph, closely spaced apartboth in range and azimuth," it said.


Most older systems tend to detect two closely flying jets as a single target , this is good tactic to fool the missile , these jets seperates after a certain time when the missile is being launched . So the missile gets fooled , it cannot get the required radar signature where it did locked and generally its too far for its IR seeker !!!

This thing happened at least once during Falklands .

Click to expand...

Correct me if I am wrong, but two target flying 1.5km apart wouldn't be really called "Closely flying" would it? If memory serves me correctly, "closely" would be something like within 20 or 30 feet of each other, in order to fool the radar right?

ArjunMk1 said:

Yup US,Russia,France,Israel and probably China(really I donno abt China) has this domestic(not lisenced products) multi targeting SAMs , indeed few !!!

By range and payload Akash comes in to comparison to Patriots(ie medium range SAMs), but a lot of work is to be done make it to PAC3 standards . And thats why Us agreed to sell PACs to India seeing oneday India could make them .Whereas India wants the tech(not the missile) in order to integrate them with Akash !!!

Akash is based on Pechora missile(but not a copy) which India is using for decades . Currently Akash represent better capability than that of upgraded Pechoras . Akash, when fully operational, will replace current Pechoras .



How the missiles approact the targets its decided by the mission computer. Generally different paths are used and they don't fly too close !!!

Click to expand...

I'm sure there are more countries who have SAMs that can engage multiple targets. Yes, China does have it with HQ-7, KS-1A and HQ-9. Basically, any country that can develop a radar that can do multiple engagements and have some kind of short ranged missile should be able to do this.

do you have problems reading Arjun? Or is it just a trait most people with the word "Arjun" in their screename shares?

Out of all weapon supplier out there, every single one of them can provide resolution high enough to discriminate. BEATING SOME POOR ASS COUNTRY IN AFRICA ISN'T SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT.

AND WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING WHEN MENTIONING PAC3 AND PAC2/PATRIOT? THEY'RE DIFFERENT MISSILES.......

@jwangyue: I admit, the news is not clear !!
Lakshya is a pilotless vehicle which tows the target , it itself is not the target
Lakshya tows the targtes at 1.5Km distance . The targets were very close but the news gives no details of this, ie the distance between them !!! :nono:

Heres an Image of Lakshya target drone :

Notice the target rockets attached under wing, they are towed or released when flying !!!


@ tphuang : Here by 'multi targeting' me and Vinclee mean targeting and neutralising two closely flying targets !!
Heres an old description abt Akash :

(currently range and tracking system has been improved)

Another test :

India Carries Out Third Missile Test in Three Days :


Now the missiles are launched from rocket launchers !!!