Important Missiles launched by DRDO in 2020

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Important Missiles Launched By DRDO In 2020

In the context of India-China border crisis, DRDO launched a series of missiles in 2020. These missiles are not only important for India’s defense system but also for the upcoming exams.

Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)

On 7th September 2020, DRDO successfully tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle.
Test was done from APJ Abdul Kalam testing range (Wheeler Island) in Odisha’s Balasore.
With this successful test, India will be making its first hypersonic missile in the next five years and also became the fourth country after USA, Russia and China to develop and test this technology.

ABHYAS – High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT)

It is a drone (UAV) that will be used as a target for various missile systems.
It is powered by a small gas turbine engine.
ABHYAS is a being developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), DRDO.
It offers a realistic threat scenario for practice of weapon systems.

Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART)

SMART is a missile assisted release of lightweight Anti-Submarine Torpedo System for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations far beyond Torpedo range.

This SMART system comprises a mechanism by which the torpedo is launched from a supersonic missile system with modifications that would take the torpedo to a far longer range than its own.

For example, a torpedo with a range of a few kilometres can be sent a distance to the tune of 1000 km by the missile system from where the torpedo is launched.

Anti Radiation Missile – RUDRAM

The RUDRAM is first indigenous anti-radiation missile of the country for Indian Air Force (IAF), being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The missile is integrated on SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft as the launch platform, having capability of varying ranges based on launch conditions.

With this, the country has established indigenous capability to develop long range air launched anti-radiation missiles for neutralising enemy Radars, communication sites and other RF emitting targets.

Shaurya Missile

Shaurya is a land variant of short-range Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) K-15 Sagarika, which has a range of at least 750 kilometers.

It is capable of carrying payloads of 200 kg to 1000 kg.
It is a surface-to-surface tactical missile.

These ballistic missiles belong to the K missile family – codenamed after late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam – which are launched from Arihant class of nuclear submarines.
The missile is less vulnerable to anti-ballistic missile defence systems due to its high maneuverability.