MENTOR
Missile System of India
Terms
Missile
A missile, or guided missile, is a self-propelled precision-guided munition system, as opposed to an
unguided self-propelled munition, referred to as a rocket. Missiles have four system components: targeting
and/or missile guidance, flight system, engine, and warhead. Missiles come in types adapted for different
purposes: surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missiles (ballistic, cruise, anti-ship, anti-tank, etc.), surfaceto-air missiles (and anti-ballistic), air-to-air missiles, and anti-satellite weapons.
Ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a missile (rocket) that follows a ballistic trajectory with the objective of delivering one
or more warheads to a predetermined target. A ballistic missile is only guided during relatively brief
periods of flight, and most of its trajectory is unpowered and governed by gravity. This contrasts to a cruise
missile which is aerodynamically guided in powered flight. Long range intercontinental ballistic missiles
(ICBM) are launched at a steep, sub-orbital flight trajectory and spend most of their flight out of the
atmosphere. Shorter range ballistic missiles stay within the Earth's atmosphere. A ballistic missile trajectory
consists of three parts: the powered flight portion, the free-flight portion which constitutes most of the flight
time, and the re-entry phase where the missile re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. The course taken by
ballistic missiles has two significant desirable properties. First the long free flight period provides ballistic
missiles far greater range than would otherwise be possible for missiles of their size. Powered rocket flight
over thousands of kilometers would require vastly greater amounts of fuel, making the launch vehicles
larger and easier to detect and intercept. Powered missiles that can cover similar amounts of range such as
cruise missiles do not use rocket motors for the majority of their flight, instead using more economical jet
engines. Despite this, cruise missiles have not made ballistic missiles obsolete due to the second major
advantage. Ballistic missiles can travel extremely quickly across their flight path.
Cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile, the major portion of whose flight path to its target (a land-based or seabased target) is conducted at approximately constant velocity that relies on the dynamic reaction of air for
lift (force), and upon propulsion forces to balance aerodynamic drag. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver
a large warhead over long distances with high circular error probable accuracy. Modern cruise missiles can
travel at supersonic or high subsonic speeds, are self-navigating, and can fly on a non-ballistic, extremely
low-altitude trajectory.
Ramjet
An object moving at high speed through air generates a high pressure region upstream. A ramjet uses this
high pressure in front of the engine to force air through the tube, where it is heated by combusting some of
it with fuel. It is then passed through a nozzle to accelerate it to supersonic speeds. This acceleration gives
the ramjet forward thrust. Most ramjets operate at supersonic flight speeds and use one or more conical (or
oblique) shock waves, terminated by a strong normal shock, to slow down the airflow to a subsonic velocity
at the exit of the intake.
Scramjets
Ramjets always slow the incoming air to a subsonic velocity within the combustor. Scramjets, or
"supersonic combustion ramjet" are similar to ramjets, but some of the air goes through the entire engine at
supersonic speeds. This increases the stagnation pressure recovered from the freestream and improves net
MENTOR , SCO 40-41, FIRST FLOOR, LEELA BHAWAN, PATIALA.
(BHUPINDER SINGH RANA- 9780505391)
MENTOR
thrust. Thermal choking of the exhaust is avoided by having a relatively high supersonic air velocity at
combustor entry. Fuel injection is often into a sheltered region below a step in the combustor wall.
Fire-and-forget
Fire-and-forget is a type of missile guidance which does not require further guidance after launch such as
illumination of the target or wire guidance, and can hit its target without the launcher being in line-of-sight
of the target. Generally, information about the target is programmed into the missile just prior to launch.
This can include coordinates, radar measurements (including velocity), or an IR image of the target. After it
is fired, the missile guides itself by some combination of gyroscopes and accelerometers, GPS, organic
active radar homing, and infrared homing optics. Some systems offer the option of either continued input
from the launch platform or fire-and-forget.
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) was a Ministry of Defence (India) program
for the research and development of a comprehensive range of missiles. The program was managed by the
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Ordnance Factories Board in partnership
with other Indian government research organisations. The project started in early 1980s and ended in 2008
after these strategic missiles were successfully developed. The last major missile developed under the
program was the Agni 3 intermediate-range ballistic missile which was successfully tested on 9 July 2007.
On 8 January 2008, the DRDO formally announced the successful completion of the IGMDP. It added that
the strategic integrated guided missile program was completed with its design objectives achieved since
most of the missiles in the program had been developed and inducted by the Indian armed forces. Dr. Abdul
Kalam, who conceived and worked on this program, later also became the President of India.
Akash (surface-to-air missile)
Akash is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ordnance Factories Board and Bharat Electronics (BEL)
in India. The missile system can target aircraft up to 30 km away, at altitudes up to 18,000 m. A nuclear
warhead could potentially give the missile the capability to destroy both aircraft and warheads from ballistic
missiles. It is in operational service with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The missile has a 60 kg
(130 lb) high-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead with a proximity fuse. The Akash system is fully mobile
and capable of protecting a moving convoy of vehicles. The launch platform has been integrated with both
wheeled and tracked vehicles. Akash is a surface-to-air missile with an intercept range of 30 km. It has a
launch weight of 720 kg, a diameter of 35 cm and a length of 5.78 metres. Akash flies at supersonic speed
(Supersonic speed is a rate of travel of an object that exceeds the speed of sound (Mach 1)) reaching around
Mach 2.5. It can reach an altitude of 18 km and can be fired from both tracked and wheeled platforms. The
use of a ramjet propulsion system enables sustained speeds without deceleration throughout its flight. The
Missile has command guidance in its entire flight. A self-destruct device is also integrated. The missile is
guided by a phased array fire control radar called 'Rajendra' which is termed as Battery Level Radar (BLR)
with a tracking range of about 60 km.
Trishul (surface-to-air missile)
MENTOR , SCO 40-41, FIRST FLOOR, LEELA BHAWAN, PATIALA.
(BHUPINDER SINGH RANA- 9780505391)
MENTOR
Trishul is the name of a short range surface-to-air missile developed by India as a part of the Integrated
Guided Missile Development Program. It has a range of 9 km and is fitted with a 5.5 kg warhead. Designed
to be used against low-level (sea skimming) targets at short range, the system has been developed to defend
naval vessels against missiles and also as a short-range surface-to-air missile on land. Guidance consists of
three different guiding beams, with the guidance handed over progressively to a narrower beam as the
missile approaches the target. According to reports, the range of the missile is 12 km and is fitted with a 15
kg warhead. The weight of the missile is 130 kg. The length of the missile is 3.1 m. India officially shut the
down Trishul Missile project on 27 February 2008.
Nag (anti-tank missile)
Nag is a third generation "fire-and-forget" anti-tank missile developed in India. It is one of five missile
systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Integrated
Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It is an all weather, top attack missile with a range of 3 to
7 km. The missile uses an 8 kg tandem HEAT warhead capable of defeating modern armour including ERA
(Explosive Reactive Armour) and composite armour. Nag uses Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) guidance with day
and night capability. Separate versions for the Army and the Air Force are being developed. For the Army,
the missiles will be carried by specialist carrier vehicles (NAMICA-Nag Missile Carrier) equipped with a
thermographic camera for target acquisition. NAMICA is a modified BMP-2 IFV licence produced as
"Sarath" in India. The carriers are capable of carrying four ready-to-fire missiles in the observation/launch
platform which can be elevated with more missiles available for reload within the carrier. For the Air Force,
a nose-mounted thermal imaging system has been developed for guiding the missile's trajectory "Helina".
The missile has a complete fiberglass structure and weighs around 42 kg.
Prithvi (surface-to-surface)
Prithvi is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO of India
under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The Prithvi missile project encompassed
developing 3 variants for use by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The initial project
framework of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program outlines the variants in the following
manner.
Prithvi I (SS-150) - Army Version (150 km range with a payload of 1,000 kg)
Prithvi II (SS-250) - Air Force Version (250 km range with a payload of 500 kg) single-stage liquid-fuelled
missile
Prithvi III (SS-350) - Naval Version (350 km range with a payload of 1000 kg). Prithvi III class (codenmed
Dhanush ) is a two-stage ship-to-surface missile. The first stage is solid fuelled with a 16 metric ton force
(157 kN) thrust motor. The second stage is liquid-fueled. The missile can carry a 1,000 kg warhead to a
distance of 350 km and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of 600 km and a 250 kg warhead up to a distance of
750 km. Dhanush is a system consisting of a stabilization platform and the missile. It is a customized
version of the Prithvi and is certified for sea worthiness. Dhanush has to be launched from a hydraulically
stabilized launch pad. Its low range acts against it and thus it is seen a weapons either to be used to destroy
an aircraft carrier or an enemy port. The missile has been tested from surface ships of the navy many times.
Agni (surface-to-surface)
MENTOR , SCO 40-41, FIRST FLOOR, LEELA BHAWAN, PATIALA.
(BHUPINDER SINGH RANA- 9780505391)
MENTOR
The Agni missile is a family of medium to intercontinental range ballistic missiles. The Agni missile family
comprises three deployed variants while two more variants are under testing.
Name
Agni-I
Agni-II
Agni-III
Agni-IV
Agni-V
Agni-VI
Type Range
MRBM 700 – 1,250 km (Operational)
IRBM 2,000 – 3,000 km (Operational)
IRBM 3,500 – 5,000 km (Operational)
IRBM 3,000 – 4,000 km (Operational)
ICBM 5,000 – 8,000 km (Testing)
ICBM 8,000 – 10,000 km (Under development)
Agni-I
The single-stage missile developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development
Programme is propelled by solid rocket propellant system. A specialized navigation system ensures that it
reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy and precision. Agni-1 has a range of 700–1250 km and is
capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) or a nuclear warhead at a speed of 2.5
km/s. Agni missiles consist of one (short range) or two stages (intermediate range). These are rail and road
mobile and powered by solid propellants.
Agni-II
The Agni-II is a medium range ballistic missile (MRBM) with two solid fuel stages and a Post Boost
Vehicle (PBV) integrated into the missile's Re-entry Vehicle (RV). The Agni's manoeuvring RV is made of
a carbon-carbon composite material that is light and able to sustain high thermal stresses of re-entry, in a
variety of trajectories. The Agni-IIA is a more advanced version of Agni-II, albeit with more sophisticated
and lighter materials, yielding a better range and operating regime. Agni-IIA was later renamed as Agni-IV
plugging the gap between Agni-II and Agni-III. Tested to range of over 2,000 km, the Agni-II has an allsolid propellant system. This missile has a theoretical maximum range of some 3,000 km with a 1,000 kg
payload (conventional or strategic). The Agni-II's first stage uses solid fuel propellant. The Agni-II's second
stage weighs around 4,200 kg and uses solid fuel propellant. The Agni-II's navigation and aiming uses an
advanced ground based beacon system using a TDOA (Time Delay Of Arrival) technique, similar to a GPS
system, that constantly provides missile flight position and velocity updates and has been proven in test
flights. The TDOA system reportedly improved the accuracy by three times. India has demonstrated a
measure of mastery in navigation sensors and flight control through its space program. As the backbone of
the Indian land-based nuclear deterrent, the real significance of the Agni-II is the fact that it is both road and
rail mobile.
Agni-III
Agni-III is an intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by India as the successor to Agni-II. It has a
range of 3,500 km- 5,000 km. The missile’s Circular error probable (CEP) is within 40 meters range, which
makes it the most sophisticated and accurate ballistic missile of its range class in the world. The missile is
equipped with sophisticated navigation, guidance and control systems along with advanced on-board
computer systems. The electronic systems are hardened for higher vibration, thermal and acoustic effects. A
high performance indigenous ring laser gyro-based navigation system was flight-tested for the first time
during the Agni-III trial on 7 Feb 2010. The missile is likely to support a wide range of warhead
MENTOR , SCO 40-41, FIRST FLOOR, LEELA BHAWAN, PATIALA.
(BHUPINDER SINGH RANA- 9780505391)
MENTOR
configurations, with a 4,500 km range and a total payload weight of 2490 kg. The Agni-III features two
solid fuelled stages and with overall diameter of 2.0 meters. This diameter is compatible with a recently
tested Indian sub-surface launch system, which has a 2.3 meter diameter launch tube aperture. In August
2010, the defence minister of India announced that Agni-III is ready for induction and in June 2011, it was
reported that the Agni-III missile had already been inducted into the armed forces.
Agni-IV
Agni-IV is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles which was earlier known as Agni II prime. It has been
developed by India's DRDO and displayed a number of new technologies and significant improvement in
missile technology. The missile is light-weight and has two stages of solid propulsion and a payload with
re-entry heat shield. The Composite Rocket Motor which has been used for the first time has given
excellent performance. The Missile System is equipped with modern and compact Avionics with
Redundancy to provide high level of reliability. The indigenous Ring Laser Gyros based high accuracy INS
(RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINGS) complementing each other in redundant mode have been
successfully flown in guidance mode for the first time. The high performance onboard computer with
distributed Avionics architecture, high speed reliable communication bus and a full Digital Control System
have controlled and guided the Missile to the target. The Missile reached the target with very high level of
accuracy. Engine- Two stage solid propellant engine, Operational range-4000 km.
Agni-V
Agni V is part of the Agni series of missiles, one of the missile systems under the original Integrated
Guided Missile Development Program. Agni V is a missile with a range of 5,500–5,800 km. The Agni-V is
a three stage solid fuelled missile with composite motor casing in the second and third stage. With
composites used extensively to reduce weight, and a third stage added on (the Agni-3 was a two-stage
missile), the Agni-5 can fly significantly more to inter-continental range. The Agni-5 is specially tailored
for road-mobility. In future, Agni-V is expected to feature Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles
(MIRVs) with each missile being capable of carrying 2–10 separate nuclear warheads. Each warhead can
be assigned to a different target, separated by hundreds of kilometres; alternatively, two or more warheads
can be assigned to one target. MIRVs ensure a credible second strike capability even with few missiles.
Agni-VI
Agni-VI is an intercontinental ballistic missile being developing by the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) for the use of the Indian Armed Forces. Agni-VI will be a four-stage intercontinental
ballistic missile, which is in the hardware development phase, after its design phase was completed. Agni
VI is expected to have Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Warheads as well as Maneuverable
Reentry Vehicle (MaRV). And these maneuverable warheads will give Agni VI an extended range exact
figure of which is currently classified. It will be taller than its predecessor Agni V, and is expected to be
flight tested by 2017. A DRDO scientist stated that the missile will carry four to six multiple independently
targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs), depending upon their weight. A few sources claim that the missile
would be able to carry up to 10 MIRV warheads.
K Missile Series (submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM))
MENTOR , SCO 40-41, FIRST FLOOR, LEELA BHAWAN, PATIALA.
(BHUPINDER SINGH RANA- 9780505391)
MENTOR
The K family of missiles is a series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) developed by India to
boost its second-strike capabilities and thus the nuclear deterrence. Information about this family of missiles
has mostly been kept classified. "The classified 'K' missile family" is known as the "Black Project" which
DRDO officials are covertly working on. It is reported that "the top secret indigenous "K" missiles are
faster, lighter and stealthier."
K-15 or Sagarika K-15 missile
The Sagarika/K-15 missile is the SLBM version of the land-based Shaurya missile. With a shorter range
than K-4 missiles it is to be integrated with Arihant class submarine concurrently developed for the use of
Indian Navy. Sagarika/K-15 was developed at the DRDO’s missile complex in Hyderabad. Medium range
K-15 ballistic missile has a range between 700 km to 1,500 km with varying payload.
K-4 Missile
K-4, named after former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, is the next significant development under
the K-X series by DRDO. It was covertly tested off the coast of Visakhapatnam in January, 2010. However,
any detail regarding the developments in this project are confidential and this project is sometimes referred
to as "BLACK PROJECT" whose existence is neither denied nor acknowledged by DRDO. The Missile is
said to have two variants. One with a range of 3,500 km that is 10 m long and the other with a range of
5,000 km will be 12 m long to arm future nuclear submarines of the Arihant class.
K-5 Missile
Reportedly, DRDO is in the process of developing a submarine-launched solid fuel missile with a maximum
range of 6,000 kilometres and a payload of 2.5 tonne. However, there is strong opacity regarding the details
of this project.
Shaurya(surface-to-surface)
The Shaurya missile is a canister launched hypersonic surface-to-surface tactical missile developed by the
Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for use by the Indian Armed Forces. It
has a range of between 750 to 1,900 km (470 to 1,180 mi) and is capable of carrying a payload of one ton
conventional or nuclear warhead. It gives the potential to strike in the short-intermediate range against any
adversary. The Shaurya missile is speculated to be the land version of the under-water Sagarika K-15
missile, although DRDO officials have reportedly denied its connection with the K-15 programme. Shaurya
is stored in a composite canister, which makes it much easier to store for long periods without maintenance
as well as to handle and transport. It also houses the gas generator to eject the missile from the canister
before its solid propellant motors take over to hurl it at the intended target. Shaurya can reach a velocity of
Mach 7.5 even at low altitudes. The missile, encased in a canister, is mounted on a single vehicle, which has
only a driver’s cabin, and the vehicle itself is the launch platform. This “single vehicle solution” reduces its
signature – it cannot be easily detected by satellites – and makes its deployment easy. The gas generator,
located at the bottom of the canister, fires for about a second and a half. It produces high pressure gas,
which expands and ejects the missile from the tube. The missile has six motors; the first one is the motor in
the gas generator.
BrahMos
MENTOR , SCO 40-41, FIRST FLOOR, LEELA BHAWAN, PATIALA.
(BHUPINDER SINGH RANA- 9780505391)
MENTOR
The BrahMos is a short range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships,
aircraft or land. It is a joint venture between the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroeyenia and India's
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who have together formed BrahMos Aerospace
Private Limited. The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the
Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. It is the world's fastest cruise missile in operation. The
missile travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0.n The land-launched and ship-launched versions are already in
service, with the air and submarine-launched versions currently in the testing phase.
BrahMos-II or BrahMos-2 or BrahMos Mark II is a hypersonic cruise missile currently under joint
development by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO
Mashinostroeyenia, which have together formed BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. It is the second of the
BrahMos series of cruise missiles. The BrahMos-II is expected to have a range of 290 kilometres (180 mi)
and a speed of Mach 7. During the cruise stage of flight the missile will be propelled by a scramjet
airbreathing jet engine. Other details, including production cost and physical dimensions of the missile, are
yet to be published. It is expected to be ready for testing by 2017.
Nirbhay
Nirbhay is a long range, subsonic cruise missile. The missile has a range of more than 1000 km. It weighs
about one tonne and has a length of 6 metres. It carries a ring laser gyroscope for high-accuracy navigation
and a radio altimeter for the height determination. It is capable of being launched from multiple platforms
on land, sea and air and shall be inducted into Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force. In particular, Nirbhay is
being adapted for the Indo/Russian Su-30MKI. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The
two-stage missile Nirbhay is able to pick out a target and attack it among multiple targets.
Prahaar(surface-to-surface)
Prahaar is a solid-fuel rocket surface-to-surface guided short-range tactical ballistic missile by DRDO of
India. Prahaar is developed to provide a cost effective, quick reaction, all-weather, all-terrain, highly
accurate battlefield support tactical weapon system. The missile fills the short-range tactical battlefield
missile role as required by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, to take out strategic and tactical
targets. This solid-fuelled missile can be launched within 2–3 minutes without any preparation, providing
significantly better reaction time than liquid-fuelled Prithvi ballistic missiles and act as a gap filler in the
150 km (93 mi) range.
Astra(air-to-air)
Astra is an active radar homing beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by the
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India. Astra is designed to be capable of
engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets (up to
20 km) and long-range targets (up to 80 km) using alternative propulsion modes. It is 3.8 metres long and is
narrower in front of the wings. The propellant used is HTPB (solid-fuel). The warhead is a 15 kg HE (highexplosive) which is activated by a proximity fuse. The missile's maximum speed is Mach 4 and can attain
maximum altitude of 20 km. The missile can handle 40 g turns near sea level while attacking a
manoeuvring target. The maximum range of Astra is 110 km in head-on chase and 20 km in tail chase.
Helina
MENTOR , SCO 40-41, FIRST FLOOR, LEELA BHAWAN, PATIALA.
(BHUPINDER SINGH RANA- 9780505391)
MENTOR
A variant of NAG Missile to be launched from Helicopter is being developed under the Project named
HELINA (Helicopter launched Nag). It will be structurally different from the Nag.
MENTOR , SCO 40-41, FIRST FLOOR, LEELA BHAWAN, PATIALA.
(BHUPINDER SINGH RANA- 9780505391)