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BrahMos
Why is it in news?
- More lethal version of the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos is under development and the prototype would be ready for testing in about three years.
More in news
- Planned improvement: The idea is to have a smaller missile with the same capabilities. So the missile will fly at 3.5 times the speed of sound instead of 2.8 Mach. The range will remain at 300 km.
- New components: For this several mechanical components in the missile are being replaced with electrical components which will also reduce the size.
- NG variant on LCA: The reduced weight enables the NG variant to be carried by the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). An LCA can carry two missiles while a Su-30MKI can carry five of them.
BrahMos
- BrahMos is a joint venture between India and Russia and named after Brahmaputra and Moscowa rivers.
- It is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface and sea-based targets.
- The development trials of an anti-shipping variant began in 2003 and combat trials began in 2005.
- The land and sea variants of BrahMos are already operational with the Army and Navy and the air-launched version is under development.