India’s new gen Akash missile clears all-weather firing test

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India’s new generation Akash missile successfully intercepted a high-speed unmanned aerial target in a flight test carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast.</p>
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The test has validated the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of the missile with indigenously developed RF Seeker, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar and Command, Control & Communication system, according to a defence ministry statement.</p>
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The test was carried out amidst inclement weather conditions proving the all-weather capability of the weapon system.</p>
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The system performance was validated through the data captured by a number of Radar, Telemetry and Electro Optical Tracking systems. A team of Indian Air Force Officers witnessed the test.</p>
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On July 21, 2021, the missile was successfully flight-tested without meeting all the mission requirements.</p>
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the army already operate nine batteries of the old Akash missile. This is now being improved into the Akash-NG, which is engineered to shoot down extremely high-performing fighter jets.</p>
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The Akash-NG is powered by a solid rocket motor that replaces the old ramjet in the Akash missile that is currently being used. The new generation Akash missile (Akash-NG) can strike targets at a distance of around 60 km and fly at a speed of up to Mach 2.5.</p>
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The second major change in the Akash-NG is its new seeker head which locks onto the enemy aircraft and continuously guides the Akash-NG to hit the target.</p>
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, Indian Air Force and the Industry on the second successful flight test of Akash-NG in a span of three days. He said the development of this state-of-the-art missile system will prove to be a force multiplier for air defence capabilities of Indian Air Force.</p>