



by G Hari Kumar





In order to complement state-of-the-art platforms being inducted into the IAF, advance weapons with high precision and lethality are being inducted. Beyond Visual Range missiles, precision weapons, smart bombs, Anti-Ship missiles etc. are being procured. Emphasis is being laid on Design and Development (D&D) and production of modern weapons indigenously. Apart from the already operational Akash Advanced Air Defence System & Astra BVR missile (limited series production of Astra missiles began in 2017) the IAF has a set of new missile systems to enhance its overall operational capabilities. We take a look at some of the new operational missile/bomb systems:





MICA Air-To-Air Missile: Indian Air Force successfully fired long range ‘Beyond Visual Range’ Air-to-Air MICA missile from Mirage-2000 upgrade aircraft on a manoeuvring target. In spite of the complexities associated with small target, the mission was executed with remarkable accuracy. The launch ranges offered by the onboard systems were validated and with the success of this mission, IAF has become one of the few Air Forces in the world with the capability of such long range Air-to-Air missiles.





Spyder LLQRM System: IAF is in the process of inducting Spyder Low Level Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (LLQRM) system which is equipped with Python 5 and Derby missiles. It is an excellent system to counterattack the enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs). The system enables operational flexibility and multi-shot capability for short to medium range intercepts. The system provides a comprehensive response to the saturation attacks with multiple target engagement.





Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM): MRSAM is a Joint D&D project of DRDO with Israel. MRSAM is capable of engaging targets from extreme low altitude to high altitude and very close range to medium ranges. This extremely capable Area Air Defence weapon networked in the modern Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) system of IAF would defeat all types of hostile targets within its engagement zone including those with extremely low Radar Cross Section (RCS) even in a dense jamming environment.





New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM): DRDO is involved in the design and development of NGARM having a range of 100 km. AKU-58 launcher after suitable modification will be used for missile integration on Su-30MKI aircraft. During the year, captive flight trials (CFT-1) sorties were carried out at AF Station, Pune with Su-30MKI aircraft. During 2016-17, lab test trials with radome were completed at selected frequencies.





Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) : QRSAM weapon system is capable of search on move, track on move and fire on short halts while engaging multiple targets at ranges of about 30 km with two vehicle configuration for area Air Defence. System design has been completed and most of the sub-systems including X-Band Quad Transmit Receive Modules (QTRMs), Two Way Data Link (TWDL) onboard segment etc. are under realisation. The missile configuration will boost IAF's survival characteristics during actual combat environments.





Smart Anti Air Field Weapon (SAAW): SAAW is long-range, stand-off, precision air-to-surface weapon (125 kg class) capable of engaging ground targets for launch from Jaguar and Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters. During the year, mechanical, electrical and avionics integration of SAAW to Jaguar CLP was successfully completed and communication between SAAW OBC and Jaguar MC was established. Captive flight trials which included 9 sorties were also completed at National Flight Test Centre, Bangalore. Drop Trials of SAAW from Jaguar are under progress.





Glide Bomb: DRDO has indigenously developed 1,000 kg glide bombs both in non-winged and winged version. During 2016-17, carriage and drop trials of both the bombs were conducted successfully.





In the interim , the Tejas program achieved a major distinction of completing 4,000 Successful Test Flights without any major incidents. All the flight tests and aircraft instrumentation related activities are planned, coordinated and executed by the National Flight Test Centre, ADA in Bangalore. NFTC has experienced Indian Air Force and Indian Navy test pilots and flight test engineers along with the scientists and engineers for tele-metering the regular test flying activities in real time in an extremely controlled environment. (With inputs from MoD, AR-2017)





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