New Delhi, November 12
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden flight test of a Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on Tuesday from a mobile articulated launcher.
During the test, all subsystems performed as per expectation and met the primary mission objectives. The missile performance was monitored by several range sensors like radar, electro-optical tracking system (EOTS) and telemetry deployed by ITR at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path, a statement said.
The missile followed the desired path using waypoint navigation and demonstrated its capability to perform various manoeuvres while flying at various altitudes and speeds.
The missile is also equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and more reliable performance.
LRLACM has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, along with contributions from other DRDO laboratories and Indian industries. M/s BDL, Hyderabad and M/s BEL, Bengaluru are the two development-cum-production-partners (DcPPs) for LRLACM and they are engaged in missile development and integration, the statement said..
The test was witnessed by senior scientists from various DRDO laboratories along with the representatives from the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Army, the users of the system.
LRLACM is a DAC-approved, AoN-sanctioned, mission mode project and it is configured to launch from the ground using a mobile articulated launcher and also from frontline ships using a universal vertical launch module system.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, armed forces, and industry on the successful maiden flight test of LRLACM and said that the test paves the way for future indigenous cruise missile development programmes.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO also congratulated the entire team of DRDO on the successful maiden launch.