DRDO successfully tests very-short range air defence system missile

On Tuesday, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted two test flights of the Very-Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile. The missiles were shot from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, located off the coast of Odisha, using a ground-based portable launcher. According to the DRDO, VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air […]

On Tuesday, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted two test flights of the Very-Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile.

The missiles were shot from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, located off the coast of Odisha, using a ground-based portable launcher. According to the DRDO, VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) created and developed in-house by the DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in conjunction with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners.

“VSHORADS incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturised Reaction Control System and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during tests. The missile, meant for neutralising low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges, is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor,” the official said.

The missile’s design, including the launcher, has been significantly optimised for mobility. Both flying tests perfectly fulfilled the mission goals.

Notably, earlier on September 8, India successfully conducted six flight tests of the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system off the coast of Odisha as part of the Indian Army’s evaluation trials.

Flight tests were conducted against high-speed aerial targets that simulated various types of aerial threats in order to assess the capability of the weapon systems in various scenarios such as long-range medium altitude, short-range high, altitude manoeuvring target, low radar signature with receding and crossing target, and salvo launch with two missiles fired in quick succession.

The system’s performance was also assessed during day and night operations.

All mission goals were fulfilled during these tests, confirming pin-point precision of the QRSAM weapon system with cutting-edge guidance and control algorithms, including the warhead chain.