The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) test-fired the Nirbhay cruise missile with a range of 1000 kilometres from Chandipur in Odisha today. It is a subsonic cruise missile that was launched at 9:55 a.m. for a 15-minute test flight of 100 kilometres.
Addressing the Test Fire:
According to DRDO sources, the test was only partially successful because of a glitch in the controller. The engine is claimed to have performed admirably. The test-fire would come next, followed by the user trials for the air force and navy.
This was the first successful test-fire of an indigenous booster engine. The earlier test fire had to be terminated after only eight minutes of flight time.
About the Nirbhay Missile:
- It is a subsonic missile that travels at 0.7 to 0.9 Mach.
- It is capable of sea-skimming and terrain-hugging. It aids the missile in remaining undetected by enemy radar.
- It is a two-stage missile having solid fuel in the first stage.
- The missile’s second stage is powered by liquid fuel.
- It would be armed with a conventional warhead weighing 300 kilograms.
- Nirbhay cruise missile would also hit the target up to a range of 1500 kilometres.
- The missile can travel between 50 meters and four kilometres above the earth.
- The missile is capable of loitering, allowing the delivery vehicle to manoeuvre in mid-flight.
- It can strike the target by making course adjustments in flight.
- The Nirbhay cruise missile may be launched from the sea, land, or mobile launchers. The missile was delivered to the Indian army. Before inducting it, the army would perform three more tests.
