India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has flight-tested the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile.
The missile “followed the desired path using point navigation and demonstrated very low altitude sea-skimming flight” during the test, the Indian Ministry of Defence explained.
All missile subsystems performed expectedly during the test and the performance was monitored by range sensors including radar, electro optical tracking system, and telemetry.
Indigenous Propulsion System
The DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment developed the missile featuring advanced avionics and software.
The test established the reliable performance of the missile’s indigenous propulsion system, developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment, the defense ministry said.
The twin-spool generic turbofan engine has a thrust of 460 kilograms (1,014 pounds).
Precursor of Long-Range Cruise Missiles
The missile is based on the Nirbhay long-range subsonic cruise missile, which features a Russian NPO Saturn 36MT engine.
It is the springboard of India’s long-range land attack cruise missiles being developed for land and sea, which are expected to have ranges of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and 1,500 kilometers (932 miles).