India’s Rudram – an Anti-Radiation Missile – test fired successfully

It can hit radiation emitting targets within a range of 250 km

• India has successfully test-fired Rudram 1, the tactical anti-radiation missile
• can launch from its Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets to take down enemy radars and
  surveillance systems
• It was tested at the interim test range Balasore, off the coast of Odisha in the
  Bay of Bengal, at about 10.30 am

The highlights of the Missile

• An anti-radiation missile can locate and target any radiation emitting source
  like enemy radars, communication sites and other Radio Frequency (RF)
  emitting targets
• They can play a key role in neutralizing any jamming platforms of the enemy or
  take out radar stations thereby clearing a path for own fighters to carry out an
  offensive and also prevent own systems from being jammed
• The IAF will now have the capability to perform SEAD (Suppression of Enemy
  Air Defense) operations deep into enemy territory to destroy enemy air defense
  setup
• This would allow the IAF’s strike aircraft to carry out their mission unhindered
  effectively
• This test demonstrates the capability of an Anti-Radiation Missile with large
  stand-off range
• It can be launched from a height ranging from 500 meters to 15 km and can hit
  radiation emitting targets within a range of 250 km

Technical features of the missile

• The missile, integrated with SU-30 MkI aircraft, has a capability of varying
  ranges based on the launch conditions
• Having the Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Global Positioning System (GPS)
  navigation with Passive Homing Head (PHH) for the final attack, it is a potent
  weapon for the Indian Air Force for suppression of enemy air defense effectively
  from large stand-off ranges
• Once the SU-30MKI approached the target, the launch processor in the
  launcher, the onboard computer and the passive seeker in the missile, worked
  in unison to display the required mission data to the pilot for action
• After completion of alignment of navigation system of the missile, the dynamic
  launch zone was displayed to the pilot
• The PHH detected the target, and measured the direction of arrival of radiation
  and once the PHH seeker got a lock-on to the target (in lock-on before launch
  mode), the target was designated and the launch operation was performed by
  the pilot
• Auto-launch was invoked and the missile was ejected using the catapult
  launcher
• The propulsion system ignited after ensuring safe separation from the launch
  platform, after which control and guidance algorithms in the onboard computer
  generated commands to correct the missile course
• The seeker measurements were used to generate guidance commands to reach
  the target point

About anti-radiation missile

• Anti-radiation missiles are designed to detect, track and neutralize the
  adversary’s radar, communication assets and other radio frequency sources,
  which are generally part of their air defense systems
• Such a missile’s navigation mechanism comprises an inertial navigation system
  — a computerized mechanism that uses changes in the object’s own position —
  coupled with GPS, which is satellite-based
• For guidance, it has a “passive homing head” — a system that can detect,
  classify and engage targets (radio frequency sources in this case) over a wide
  band of frequencies as programmed
• Officials said once the Rudram missile locks on the target; it is capable of
  striking accurately even if the radiation source switches off in between
• Officials said the missile has an operational range of more than 100 km, based
  on the launch parameters from the fighter jet

Pic courtesy : indiatoday.in