A new version of the Akash missile- "Akash Prime" was successfully tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur on Monday at around 4:30 pm. The missile intercepted and tore apart a high-speed unmanned aerial target mimicking enemy aircraft, in its first flight test after all the enhancements.
Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency seeker to accurately locate the enemy aircraft. The upgrade includes an improved, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar and Command, Control and Communication system. The test was carried out amidst bad weather conditions and yet Akash Prime successfully detonated the threat proving the all-weather capability of the weapon system. The improvements also established that the new missile has comparatively more reliable performance under a low-temperature environment at higher altitudes
The system performance was validated through the data captured by number Radar, Telemetry and Electro-Optical Tracking systems deployed by ITR, Chandipur," the DRDO said. The test was also witnessed by a team of Indian Air Force Officers.
Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency seeker to accurately locate the enemy aircraft.ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) and industry for the successful flight of Akash-NG- " Akash Prime" Missile. He added that the development of this state-of-the-art missile system will prove to be a force multiplier for air defence capabilities of the Indian Air Force and the successful flight test demonstrates the competence of the Defence Research and Development Organisation in the design and development of world-class Missile systems.
The teams were also greeted and congratulated by the Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman Defence Research and Development Organisation, Dr G Satheesh Reddy. He declared that the success of the Akash Prime team will boost the confidence of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army as the Akash system is getting inducted and improved with more lethal and accurate missiles with capabilities to destroy high-speed agile enemy threats.