The Hunter’s Gaze: VL-SRSAM’s RF Seeker Never Misses – Analysis
● The VL-SRSAM is a quick-reaction surface-to-air missile developed by DRDO for the Indian Navy.
● It is based on the design of the Astra missile, a beyond visual range air-to-air missile.
● Beyond Visual Range (BVR) refers to the distance, usually over 20-30 kilometers, at which a target is too far to be seen with the naked eye and requires advanced tracking systems.
● The missile is designed to counter various aerial threats at short ranges.
● It is capable of targeting low-flying, sea-skimming threats.
● A sea-skimming target is an object, like a missile or aircraft, that flies very close to the surface of the water to avoid detection by radar and make it harder to intercept.
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully carried out a flight test of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on September 12, 2024. The test took place around 3:00 PM at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, located off the coast of Odisha.
The test was conducted using a land-based vertical launcher, aiming at a fast-moving aerial target flying at a low altitude. The missile system successfully detected and hit the target.
The purpose of this test was to confirm the performance of several upgraded components of the weapon system, such as the Proximity Fuse and Seeker.
The system’s performance was carefully monitored and verified using different tools, including the Radar Electro-Optical Tracking System and telemetry, which were set up at ITR Chandipur.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh applauded the DRDO and Indian Navy teams for their success, saying that this test confirms the dependability and effectiveness of the VL-SRSAM weapon system.
Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of DRDO and Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development, also congratulated the teams. He highlighted that the system will greatly boost the Indian Navy’s capabilities and act as a force multiplier.
Smokeless Missile, Silent Guardian
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has developed a next-generation, ship-based, vertical-launch short-range surface-to-air missile (VL-SRSAM). This advanced air defense system is designed for Indian Navy warships, providing quick-reaction defense against supersonic, low-flying targets such as aircraft and drones, even in all-weather conditions.
The missile uses a smokeless engine, which helps it fly without leaving visible trails of smoke. It also has built-in technology to protect itself from enemy attempts to jam or interfere with its systems, ensuring it can still hit its target even if countermeasures are used against it.
The missile can hit targets up to 50 km away and reach a height of 15 km. According to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), it is 3,931 mm long, has a diameter of 178 mm, and weighs 170 kg. It is expected to eventually replace the Barak 1 anti-air missile in the future.
The missile is equipped with a radio frequency (RF) seeker that helps it accurately lock onto its target. For navigation, it uses an inertial system with a fiber-optic gyroscope to guide it during the middle part of its flight. In the final stage, the RF seeker takes over to ensure it hits the target with precision.
The VL-SRSAM is built with four small wings to maintain stability during flight. It is likely powered by a solid fuel rocket engine that gives it a single burst of power. The missile is expected to carry a high-explosive warhead filled with pre-formed fragments. This warhead is designed to explode when it gets close to a target, using a radar sensor to trigger the explosion at the right moment (radar proximity fuse)
Each Vertical Launch System (VLS) can store up to forty missiles, organized in a twin quad-pack canister setup, with eight missiles in each pack. These systems allow the missiles to be launched quickly, and multiple launch systems can be installed on a ship, depending on how much space is available. This setup provides flexibility and ensures the ship is well-equipped for defense.
The phrase “organized in a twin quad-pack canister setup, with eight missiles in each pack” means that the missiles are arranged in two sets of containers (called canisters), with each set holding eight missiles. In this case, “twin” refers to two canisters, and “quad-pack” means each canister contains four missiles. So, with two canisters, each holding four missiles on each side (twin quad-pack), it totals eight missiles in one full setup. This arrangement allows for compact storage and efficient launching of multiple missiles at once.
The missile is designed to be installed on various types of warships, including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and aircraft carriers.
