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Akash (missile)

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Akash
An Akash missile being test fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Orissa.
TypeSurface to Air Missile
Place of originIndia
Service history
Used byIndian Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Produced1990
Specifications
Mass720 kg
Length5.78 m[1]
Diameter350 mm
Warhead60 kg Fragmentation or Nuclear Warhead[2]
Detonation
mechanism
Radio proximity fuze
EngineBooster + Integral Ramjet Rocket (IRR) propulsion
PropellantRamjet rocket propulsion
Operational
range
25-30 km
Flight ceiling18,000 m
Maximum speed Mach 2.8 to 3.5
Guidance
system
Command Guidance
Launch
platform
BMP-1, T-72, Tata 4923 truck

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Akash (Sanskrit: आकाश Ākāś "Sky") is India's medium range surface-to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL) as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.[3][4][5] The missile can target aircraft up to 30 km away, at altitudes up to 18,000 m.[6] Akash can be fired from both tracked and wheeled platforms.[1] Akash is said to be capable of both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a reported payload of 60 kg.[2] A nuclear warhead could potentially give the missile the capability to destroy both aircraft and warheads from ballistic missiles. The missile is described as being able to strike several targets simultaneously, which could mean either separate, independently targetable warheads, or a sufficient blast to destroy a number of them.

Along with India, a limited number of other countries including the US, Russia, Japan, Israel, and some EU countries have developed operational multitarget-handling surface-to-air missile systems. With the successful user trials of Akash, India has validated the technology and operational efficacy of this missile system. This system is claimed to be more accurate than the MIM-104 Patriot as it has thrust during the entire course of its flight compared to the Patriot that has thrust only for the first 12 seconds, after which the missile coasts, thus making it less accurate. Apart from that the Akash can be launched from static or mobile platforms, including a battle tank.[7]

Development and history

The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997.

Two Akash missiles intercepted two fast moving targets in simultaneous engagement mode in 2005. 3-D Central Acquisition Radar (3D-CAR) group mode performance is also fully established.[8][9] The Akash Project has been the most expensive and missile project ever undertaken by the Union government of India in the 20th century. Total development costs for the missile and associated radars and systems was almost $120 million to the taxpayers.[10]

Description

Missile

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, reaching around Mach 2.5. It can reach an altitude of 18 km. An on-board guidance system coupled with actuator system makes the missile manoeuvrable up to 15g loads and a tail chase capability for end game engagement. A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 55 kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated. It is propelled by Integrated Ramjet Rocket Engine. The use of ramjet propulsion system that enables sustained speeds without deceleration throughout its flight.[11] The Missile as command guidance in its entire flight.[3]

The design of the missile is somewhat similar to that of SA-6 with four long tube ramjet inlet ducts mounted mid-body between wings. For pitch/yaw control four clipped triangular moving wings are mounted on mid-body. For roll control four inline clipped delta fins with ailerons are mounted before the tail. However, the internal schema shows a different layout with an onboard digitial computer, no Semi-active seeker, different propellant, different actuators and command guidance datalinks. The Akash carries an onboard radio-proximity fuse.

System

Each Akash battery consists of 4 self propelled Launchers (3 Akash SAMs each), a Battery Level Radar - the Rajendra, and a Command post (Battery Control Centre). 2 batteries are deployed as a Squadron (Air Force), while up to 4 form an Akash Group (Army configuration). In both configurations, an extra Group Control Centre (GCC) is added, which acts as the Command and Control HQ of the Squadron or Group. Based on a single mobile platform, GCC establishes links with Battery Control Centres and conducts air defence operations in coordination with air defence set up in a zone of operations.

For early warning, the GCC relies on the Central Acquisition Radar. However, individual batteries can also be deployed with the cheaper, 2-D BSR (Battery Surveillance Radar) with a range of over 100 km.

Each Akash battery can engage up to 4 targets. Each battery has 4 launchers with 3 missiles each, with each Rajendra able to guide 4 missiles in total, with a maximum of 2 missiles per target. Up to a maximum of 4 targets can be engaged by a typical battery with a single Rajendra if one missile is allotted per target.

Communications between the various vehicles are a combination of wireless and wired links. The entire system is designed to be set up quickly and to be highly mobile, for high survivability.

The Akash system can be deployed by rail, road or air.

Radars

Main article: Rajendra Radar

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.[12]. It can track 64 targets in range, azimuth and height and guide eight missiles simultaneously towards 4 targets. The Rajendra derivative on a BMP-2 chassis and to be used by the Indian Air Force is known as the Battery Level Radar -II whereas that for the Army, is based on a T-72 chassis and is known as the Battery Level Radar-III.

A single Akash missile has an 88% Probability of kill. Two missiles can be fired, five seconds apart, to raise the Probability of Kill to 98.5%.

Long range target acquisition is performed by the 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR), which is a long range surveillance radar that can track 150 targets in Track while Scan mode at a range of 180 km.[13]

Platforms

The Army's radar and launchers are based on the T-72 chassis to accompany the Army's fast moving armoured formations.[14] The Air Force versions use a combination of tracked and wheeled vehicle. The Air Force Akash launcher consists of a detachable trailer which is towed by an Ashok Leyland truck, and which can be positioned autonomously. Both the Army and Air Force launchers have three ready-to-fire Akash missiles each. The launchers can slew in both elevation and azimuth.

Propulsion

The Akash ,like the Russian 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful), utilizes an integrated ramjet-rocket propulsion system, which provides thrust for the missile throughout its entire flight. "Because this missile has an integrated ram-rocket, manoeuvrability is highest. The engine is 'on' throughout the flight. The thrust is on till the missile intercepts the target," explained Prahlada. Most other surface-to-air missiles, including the U.S. Patriot and the Russian S-300 series, use solid-fuel rocket propulsion.

Status

Each missile is expected to have starting costs below US$ 500,000, i.e. under Rs.20 million[15], which is less than half the cost of similar Western missiles which usually cost between US$ 1.2-1.5 million (Rs. 50-60 million) each ..[1] It is expected that this cost will further decrease due to the economies of scale achieved as production ramps up.[15]

Indian Air Force

In December 2007, the Indian Air Force completed user trials for this missile. The trials, which were spread over ten days were declared successful after the missile hit the target on five occasions. Multiple targets handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in C4I environment. Before the ten day trial at Chandipur, ECCM Evaluation tests were carried out at Gwalior Air force base and mobility trials were carried out in Pokhran. The IAF had evolved the user Trial Directive to verify the Akash's consistency. The following trials were conducted: Against low flying near range target, long range high altitude target, crossing and approaching target and ripple firing of two missiles from the same launcher against a low altitude receding target.[16]

The Indian Air force was satisfied with the performance of Akash after extensive flight trials and has decided to induct the weapon system. An order for two squadrons were placed initially, with these being inducted in 2009. The IAF found the missile performance to be satisfactory and placed orders for 16 more launchers to form 2 more squadrons for India's northeast theater.[1][14][17] On March 30, 2009 Tata Power's Strategic Electronics Division (SED) announced that it had bagged the INR 1.82 Billion order for the 16 additional Akash launchers to be delivered in the next 33 months.[18]

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered an additional 750 Akash medium-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) from state-run defence behemoth Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) at a cost of Rs 42.79 billion ($925 million More orders are expected, as the IAF phases out its Pechoras and as the Indo-Israeli JV to develop a MRSAM (Medium Range SAM) for the IAF has been put on hold, while a similar program for the Indian Navy proceeds unimpeded.[19][20][21]

In January 2010, the Indian Air Force accepted the Akash missile as part of its arsenal.[22]

Indian Army

After long delays, the Indian Army has warmed up to the Akash missile, and is considering ordering several Akash squadrons for its strike forces.[14][23]

Other

It was also reported that Malaysia had shown interest in purchasing the Akash missile system.[24]

Operators

 India

References

  1. ^ a b c d Sharma, Ravi, Air Force to place order for Akash missile system. The Hindu, 13 April 2008. Accessed 19 April 2008
  2. ^ a b http://www.missilethreat.com/archives/id.4016/detail.asp
  3. ^ a b AKASH AIR DEFENCE WEAPON SYSTEM
  4. ^ AkashSAM.com
  5. ^ "Guided Threat Systems". International Electronic Countermeasures Handbook. Artech House. 2004. p. 115. ISBN 1-5805-3898-3. {{cite book}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  6. ^ Asian tribune: Upgraded version of ‘Akash’ test fired; By Hemanta Kumar Rout
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ IAF initiates process for inducting Akash and Trishul SAM’s
  9. ^ Air Force Impressed With Akash Surface To Air Missiles Performance
  10. ^ Akash costs over $100m to the exchequer
  11. ^ The Hindu article dated 11 December 2005, accessed 18 October 2006.
  12. ^ Global Security.Org article accessed 18 October 2006.
  13. ^ ACIG Special Reports
  14. ^ a b c http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/army-warmsto-akash-missile/375634/
  15. ^ a b http://www.drdo.org/dpi/prahlada_interview.html
  16. ^ DRDO report on Akash
  17. ^ IAF Slams Chinese Protest to PM's Arunachal Visit
  18. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/31/stories/2009033155561600.htm
  19. ^ Barak-MRSAM for IAF put on hold
  20. ^ "IAF to induct indigenous Akash missile". Sify News. Sify News. 2007-12-26. Retrieved December 27, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  21. ^ Missile mission meets target
  22. ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=12269
  23. ^ http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?issueid=&id=54560&option=com_content&task=view&sectionid=4
  24. ^ India, Russia yet to reach breakthrough on Gorshkov-India-The Times of India
  25. ^ a b http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/12/stories/2009011255511200.htm
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