BrahMos missile test-fired successfully in top attack mode

Bengaluru: A land attack version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired from Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Tuesday.

Today’s test was carried out by Indian Army. The missile was launched approximately around 10:03 am from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL).

The designated target was located at 200 kilometers in Bay of Bengal. The missile demonstrated the weapon’s unmatched lethal ability and formidable precision strike capability.

“Indian Army successfully launched its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile today in a top-attack configuration, hitting a target in the Bay of Bengal with pin point accuracy,” Southern Command of Indian Army said.

In top attack mode, the missile climbs sharply after the launch and cruises at very high altitude (evident in today’s launch video). In this mode, the missile then dives on to the top of the target.

In the direct attack configuration, the missile normally travels at lower altitude and engages the target directly. BrahMos can be fired on both modes depending upon the user-designated profile.

The land attack version of BrahMos has the capability of cruising at 2.8 Mach speed and is in service since 2007. The Block III version of the missile has successfully executed four operational launches in the past.

As reported by Onmanorama earlier, scientists at BrahMos Aerospace and Defence Research and Development Organisation have successfully extended the range of the missile from 290 km to over 400 km.

During the DefExpo2020 in February this year, Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra, CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace, had told Onmanorama the missile variants will be tested with enhanced range this year.

More launches of the missile on different modes are lined up this week to test the accuracy and extended range of the weapon.

Several Launches

Last month, a BrahMos missile from was successfully tested from Indian Navy’s stealth destroyer, INS Chennai. The missile had hit a Battle Practice Target positioned in the Arabian Sea during the launch on October 18.

The air version of the missile was also test-fired from a Sukhoi fighter last month, in an extended mission involving multiple Indian Air Force assets. This test was held on October 30.

Prior to that on September 30 this year, a BrahMos missile carrying an indigenous booster and airframe section was successfully flight tested from ITR, Balasore in Odisha.

This launch had paved the way for the serial production of the indigenous booster and other indigenous components of the BrahMos weapon system.

In short, today’s launch was the fourth successful mission of BrahMos in just over two months.

“These missions by the users prove the reliability of BrahMos as one of the most potent weapons in modern warfare,” says a scientist.

In 2020 alone so far, BrahMos saw five launches including one by Indian Navy, two for IAF, one for Indian Army and one development trial.

So far, the Indian Army has inducted three regiments of BrahMos. As on today, 10 Indian Naval Ships have been fitted with BrahMos missiles. The IAF has operationalised the No 222 Sqn based out of Thanjavur as the first Sukhoi Sqn armed with BrahMos early this year.

“BrahMos has time and again proved that it can engage enemy’s vital targets with pin-pint accuracy,” an official said.