Indian Missile News And Discussion

[Arun_S]

Rudra ji: I do not know why DRDO chilef called Shourya as hypersonic cruise missile? Possibly to allow the dork media to more easily understand it instead of creating a new term to describe the innovative concept; or it is also possible to create enough obfuscation and to let bikini do its job (let the eyes of the beholder guess what's behind).



As for if is it Shourya or HSDTV? I can say that Indian scientists and engineers have definitely hit a mother-lod in the form of hypersonic ballistic glide vehicle. HSDTV it OTOH still a very distant utopia and it will like hitting a jackpot. That would be uber revolutionary.



Please explain your use of the word "Chandragupta"?

[Rudra]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='12 August 2010 - 10:21 AM' timestamp='1281588224' post='107862']

Rudra ji: I do not know why DRDO chilef called Shourya as hypersonic cruise missile? Possibly to allow the dork media to more easily understand it instead of creating a new term to describe the innovative concept; or it is also possible to create enough obfuscation and to let bikini do its job (let the eyes of the beholder guess what's behind).



As for if is it Shourya or HSDTV? I can say that Indian scientists and engineers have definitely hit a mother-lod in the form of hypersonic ballistic glide vehicle. HSDTV it OTOH still a very distant utopia and it will like hitting a jackpot. That would be uber revolutionary.



Please explain your use of the word "Chandragupta"?

[/quote]





oops my bad. I missed the "or" word in the middle. i mean to say that you or Chandraguptaji (who is another forum member and has close ties with DRDO) <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

sorry for the confusion.

[Arun_S]

Regarding ABM resistance, worth factoring the following:



1. For a BGRV type hypersonic craft that is flying in complex trajectory toward a group of probable cluster of targets, no radar network can compute what is in the mind of the Shourya's computer (need a psychic's service) ; so forget about firing a SAM to take it down.



2. SAMS are not launched in air waiting for target (like fighter cap). They have a very small kill box that better be accurately projected in time - space.



3. BGRV type hypersonic craft can pull sustained G > 100, coupled with INS guideline/control it can pull the most unpredictable trajectory to its chosen target.



4. Even for Prayduman or AAD it will be very difficult to take on BGRV type target. Forget about S300, S400 style interceptors whose G rate is limited.

[Arun_S]

One can read the book "[url="http://books.google.com/books?id=lN0w6X0PG3QC&pg=PA183&lpg=PA183&dq=Lightning+Bolts+MARV&source=bl&ots=DxHx1bN9zz&sig=sqLrCBCaJ0eB8FHl5mdCwWlaw9M&hl=en&ei=MxRkTKD-JIWisQO-sNHiBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false"]Lightening Bolts[/url]- By William Yengst" to understand the mechanics of hypersonic maneuvering, energy and velocity.



This [url="http://books.google.com/books?id=lN0w6X0PG3QC&pg=PA183&lpg=PA183&dq=Lightning+Bolts+MARV&source=bl&ots=DxHx1bN9zz&sig=sqLrCBCaJ0eB8FHl5mdCwWlaw9M&hl=en&ei=MxRkTKD-JIWisQO-sNHiBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false"]Google Book link[/url] allows one to read selected pages of the book.



Some high level information pages:

1. Figure - 12 on pg 117
2. Figure - 13 on pg 120

Note for Strategic BGV range of 5,000 miles

[Arun_S]

[url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6320750.cms?prtpage=1#ixzz0wt0IydK9"]India to order large number of Javelin anti-tank missiles from US[/url]

Rajat Pandit, TNN, Aug 17, 2010, 01.30am IST NEW DELHI: Faced with a huge shortfall of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), coupled with the delayed induction of the indigenous `Nag' missile, India will order a "large'' number of the quite-expensive Javelin [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=ATGM"]ATGM[/url] systems from the US.



The deal for the man-portable, fire-and-forget Javelin ATGM systems will once again be a direct government-to-government one under the American foreign military sales (FMS) programme, without any global multi-vendor competition.



Much to the dismay of Russians and Europeans, India is increasingly taking the FMS route to ink big arms deals with US. The biggest on the verge of finalisation, of course, is for 10 C-17 Globemaster-III giant strategic airlift for upwards of $3 billion.



As for the Javelin contract, defence minister A K [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=Antony"]Antony[/url] told Parliament on Monday the "letter of request'' to [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=US%20government"]US government[/url] for procurement of the third-generation ATGM, along with "transfer of technology'', would be issued soon.



This means India will buy some of the 2.5-km range Javelin systems off-the-shelf, while a much larger number will be indigenously manufactured under licensed production. The US has already showcased the ATGM system during bilateral combat exercises like `Yudh-Abhyas' in Babina last October, as reported earlier.



While the exact number of Javelin systems India will induct is yet to be decided, it could well run into thousands. The Army, after all, has a shortfall of around 44,000 ATGMs of different types. "Though [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=Army"]Army[/url] has an authorised holding of 81,206 ATGMs, not even half that number is present in its inventory,'' said a source.



This when [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pakistan"]Pakistan[/url] is inducting a wide array of missiles, including 2,769 TOW-2A heavy anti-armour guided missiles from US. Mechanised as well as regular infantry units armed with advanced ATGM systems are deemed critical to slow down, if not halt, enemy armoured thrusts into one's territory.



[url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=Indian%20infantry"]Indian infantry[/url] units are as of now equipped with variants of the second-generation 2-km-range [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Milan"]Milan[/url] and 4-km-range Konkurs ATGMs, produced by defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Ltd under licence from French and Russian companies.



As for the third-generation Nag ATGM, with a 4-km strike range, Army has placed an initial order for 443 missiles and 13 Namicas (Nag missile tracked carriers). After 20 years of development, the Nag is only now getting ready to enter the production/induction phase.



The urgency about the fast-dwindling ATGM stock can be gauged from the fact that Army has ordered 4,100 "advanced'' Milan-2T missiles, with "tandem warheads'', as well as 15,000 Konkurs-M missiles over the last couple of years.

[Guest]

BrahMos missile maker happy with Russian Glonass receivers

BrahMos Aerospace Ltd., a Russian-Indian joint venture manufacturing supersonic cruise missiles, is successfully using Russian-built Glonass receivers for aiming and target acquisition, CEO Sivathanu Pillai said on Wednesday.



Glonass - the Global Navigation Satellite System - is the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS, and is designed for both military and civilian uses. Both systems enable users to determine their positions to within a few meters.



BrahMos missiles equipped with Glonass receivers acquire and effectively engage targets, Pillai told the Bengaluru Space Expo 2010 exhibition.



He said the receivers performed reliably and consistently.

.......

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in early August Russia will complete the formation of a global navigation satellite group by the end of 2010 and that there will be between 24 and 28 satellites in orbit at any given time.



Russia currently has a total of 22 Glonass satellites in orbit, but only 16 of them are functional. The system requires 18 operational satellites for continuous navigation services covering the entire territory of Russia and at least 24 satellites to provide navigation services worldwide.

[Arun_S]

[quote name='Austin' date='25 August 2010 - 04:42 PM' timestamp='1282734280' post='108057']

[url="http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100825/160334563.html"]BrahMos missile maker happy with Russian Glonass receivers[/url]





[/quote]



BTW India has access to Mil grade signal from GLONASS ( IIRC ~ 3 years ago). Nothing liek that possible w/US NAVSTAR.



Anyway when IRNSS is operational India will truly have redundancy.

[Guest]

Indian-Russian Brahmos venture to produce missile engines in India

The Indian-Russian venture BrahMos Aerospace Ltd. plans to produce engines for Brahmos missiles in India, CEO Sivathanu Pillai said on Friday.



The engines will be produced at the Brahmos plant in the state of Kerala in southeastern India, Pillai said. In two years its production volumes will exceed the manufacturing capabilities of the plant in Russia's Orenburg which currently produces the engines.



He said the decision was made due to a mounting demand for Brahmos missiles in the Indian Armed Forces.



The BrahMos missile has a range of 290 km (180 miles) and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg (660 lbs). It can effectively engage ground targets from an altitude as low as 10 meters (30 feet) and has a top speed of Mach 2.8, which is about three times faster than the U.S.-made subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile.

[Rudra]

Agni-II+ to be tested in Sept. end from Orissa coast

http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=20926





From the above URL:



This newly built missile has a length of 21 meters and diameters of 1.3 meter, weighs around 17 tonnes. It is designed to carry ‘special weapons’ nuclear payload of over 1,000 kg.



does anyone can explain what is this special weapons nuclear payload means?

[ramana]

Most likely a boosted Fission weapon to give high confidence in the design yield.



BTW thats same weight as the AIII payload.

[Arun_S]

[quote name='Rudra' date='01 September 2010 - 07:13 PM' timestamp='1283348125' post='108132']



Agni-II+ to be tested in Sept. end from Orissa coast

[url="http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=20926"]http://orissadiary.c...ws.asp?id=20926[/url]





From the above URL:



This newly built missile has a length of 21 meters and diameters of 1.3 meter, weighs around 17 tonnes. It is designed to carry ‘special weapons’ nuclear payload of over 1,000 kg.



does anyone can explain what is this special weapons nuclear payload means?

[/quote]



Euphemism for nuclear warhead.



Here is excerpt of my Agni-IIAT article (following is my copyright material) that I used to previously host at Bharat Rakshak.

(I continue to hold copyright for following excerpt from my Agni article)

[size="2"]Agni-IIAT[/size] [size="2"][color="#c0c0c0"].[/color][/size]

[size="2"]Length (m)[/size] [size="2"]20[/size]

[size="2"]Max Diameter (m)[/size] [size="2"]1.2[/size]

[size="2"]Launch Weight - kg (Including Payload)[/size] [size="2"]2 7,000[/size]

[size="2"]Propellant[/size] [size="2"]Solid (HTPB/AP/AI)[/size]

[size="2"]Number of Stages[/size] [size="2"]2.5[/size]

[size="2"]Payload - kg [/size] [size="2"]300 - 1,000[/size]

[size="2"]Range [color="#ff0000"](Payload)[/color][/size] [size="2"]4,000 km [color="#ff0000"](1,500 kg)[/color][/size]

[size="2"]CEP Accuracy[/size] [size="2"]20 meters [/size][size="1"](estimated)[/size]





[size="4"]INTRODUCTION: AGNI-IIAT[/size]



[size="2"]The Agni-II was a quick and proven design, albeit of 1980s vintage. The Agni-IIAT is the result of a CIP (Continuous Improvement Program) with Agni-II. Different reports indicate India developing a more advanced technology (AT) version of Agni-II[/size][size="1"][sup][82][/sup][/size][size="2"] putting into use, state-of-the-art technologies to significantly improve the Agni-II performance[/size][size="1"][sup][83][/sup] [/size][size="2"]as well as to adapt it to the newer and lighter nuclear payload, that was proven by the Pokharan-II series of nuclear tests[/size][size="1"][sup][84][/sup][/size][size="2"]. The new propulsion system could greatly increase the missile's range to 4000 km (1500 kg payload) and potentially to ICBM range for lighter payload. [/size]



[size="2"]The Agni-IIAT is likely to incorporate the following changes:[/size]

1. [size="2"] A larger diameter booster stage made of stronger 250-Marging steel, improving fuel loading and fuel mass-fraction (~0.88).[/size]
2. [size="2"] Lightweight carbon composite motor casing[/size][size="1"][sup][85, 86][/sup][/size][size="2"] for the second stage, instead of steel casing, improving its mass-fraction (~0.92).[/size]
3. [size="2"] Lighter, tougher and higher [/size][size="2"]β[/size] [size="2"](beta) RV, with all carbon composite re-entry heat-shield, multi directional carbon re-entry nose tip and control surfaces[/size][size="1"][sup][87][/sup][/size][size="2"]. Very likely a unary version of the Agni-III's RV Mk-4.[/size]

[size="2"]We refer to this postulated configuration as Agni-IIAT that would be validated when it is tested sometime in the future[/size][size="1"][sup][88][/sup][/size][size="2"]. However this paper gives an insight to potency of such technological improvement.[/size]



[size="2"] Comparative Line drawing of Agni-II and Agni-IIAT [/size][size="2"] [/size]



[size="1"][Image [/size][size="1"][color="#000000"]©[/color][/size][size="1"] Arun Vishwakarma] [/size]



[size="2"]New improved 1.2m diameter rocket case of maraging steel being handed over to M. Natarajan[/size]



[size="1"][Source: The HINDU, 10-Nov-06] [/size]



[size="2"]Composite casing of Agni-II's second stage [/size]



[size="1"][Image [/size][size="1"]: Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad] [/size]



[size="2"]Description[/size]



[size="2"]After Agni-II development DRDO has reported major success in developing superior sub-systems ranging from newer higher performance RV, lighter casing of second stage and booster case made of stronger Maraging steel. The new missile's form factor is almost same as the Agni-II, but qualitative improvements in propulsion and warhead significantly improves its range and effectiveness.[/size]



[size="2"][color="#000000"]Accuracy of this longer range missile is augmented by space based precision navigation system. India and Russia are working together on the development and launch of a new generation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONESS) that will be operational by 2007[/color][/size][size="1"][sup][89][/sup][/size][size="2"][color="#000000"]. India is also building its own IRNSS ([/color][/size][size="2"]Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System[/size][size="1"])[/size][size="1"][color="#000000"][sup][90][/sup][/color][/size][size="2"][color="#000000"] covering 35% of earth surface, centered around India for assured access to space based precision navigation[/color][/size][size="2"].[/size]



[size="2"]Manoeuvring Re-Entry Vehicle: [/size]



[size="2"]New lighter and tougher RV, with all carbon composite re-entry heat shield with multi directional carbon re-entry nose tip and control surfaces, the new lightweight composites can withstand temperatures of up to 6,000º centigrade, thus capable of greater re-entry velocity[/size][size="1"][sup][91, 92][/sup][/size][size="2"]. The new RV smaller in diameter & length but higher [/size][size="2"]β[/size] [size="2"](beta) compared to the RV of Agni-I/II, similar to RV-MK4 of Agni-III & Agni-III++.[/size]



[size="2"]Propulsion[/size]



[size="2"]First Stage: A new 1.2 meter diameter[sup][92.A][/sup] booster case made of 250-Maraging steel with improved chamber pressure and fuel mass-fraction (estimated 0.88). Approximately 12 meter long and 20 tonne mass[/size]



[size="2"]Second Stage: Lightweight filament wound carbon composite motor casing[/size][sup][size="1"][93, 94][/size][/sup][size="2"] [sup] [/sup] for Stage-II with improved fuel mass-fraction (estimated between 0.90 - 0.92[/size][size="1"][sup][95][/sup][/size][size="2"]).[/size]



[size="2"]Agni-IIAT Configuration[/size]



[size="2"]Agni-IIAT Stage 1[/size]_____ [size="2"]Agni-IIAT Stage 2[/size] _____ [size="2"]PBV/HAM[/size] _____ [size="2"]RV[/size] [size="2"]

Gross Mass [/size] [size="2"] ____ [/size][size="2"]20,000 kg [/size][size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]6,000 kg[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]220 kg [/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]50 kg[/size]

[size="2"]Fuel Mass [/size][size="2"] ____ [/size][size="2"]17,600 kg[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]5,400 kg [/size][size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]40 - 180 kg[/size]

[size="2"]Empty Mass[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]2,400 kg [/size][size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]600 kg[/size][size="2"] ____ [/size][size="2"]20 - 50 kg[/size]

[size="2"]Fuel-Mass-Ratio[/size][size="1"][sup][96][/sup][/size][size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]0.88[/size][size="2"] ____ [/size][size="2"]0.90[/size][size="2"] ____ [/size][size="2"]0.82[/size]



[size="2"]Thrust @ Vacuum [/size][size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]78,600 Kgf[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]42,580 Kgf[/size]

[size="2"]Thrust @ Sea Level[/size][size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]70,400 Kgf[/size] --

[size="2"][color="#ff0000"](Burn Time)[/color][/size][size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"][color="#ff0000"](58 seconds)[/color][/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"][color="#ff0000"](35 seconds)[/color][/size]



[size="2"]Length[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]12 meters[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]4.8 meters[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]2.6 meters[/size]



[size="2"]Diameter[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]1.2 meter[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]1.2 meter[/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"]1.0 meters[/size]

[size="2"][color="#ffffff"].[/color][/size]

[size="2"][color="#008080"]Case Material[/color][/size] [size="2"][color="#008080"]250-Maraging Steel[/color][/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"][color="#008080"]Filament wound composite material[/color][/size] [size="2"]____ [/size][size="2"][color="#008080"]All Carbon Composite[/color][/size]

[Arun_S]

[url="http://www.india-defence.com/reports-4489"]Indian Army Test Fires BrahMos Cruise Missile in Chandipur, Orissa[/url]

[url="http://www.india-defence.com/newsletter"]

[/url]

Dated 5/9/2010



Indian Army test fired the BrahMos cruise missile from the Chandipur ITR this morning. India has conducted a series of development and acceptance tests for the BrahMos over the past few years.





(Source: IANS)



BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. It is a joint venture between Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russian NPO Mashinostroeyenia who have together formed BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited.



The Indian Army already operates one regiment of the 290—km range BrahMos—I variant. A regiment consists of 67 missiles, five mobile autonomous launchers on 12x12 'Tatra' vehicles and two mobile command posts, among other equipment (Source: The Hindu).



The air launched version for the Indian Air Force is ready for testing. An expert committee from the DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF) has ruled out any structural modification to the advanced Su-30MKI if it is to be fitted with the supersonic BrahMos. January 10, 2009 it was reported that two Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets have been sent to Russia for a retrofit program that would enable them to launch the aerial version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. (Source: Domain-<img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />

[Raj Malhotra]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='05 September 2010 - 10:52 PM' timestamp='1283706874' post='108173']

[url="http://www.india-defence.com/reports-4489"]Indian Army Test Fires BrahMos Cruise Missile in Chandipur, Orissa[/url]

[/quote]





It would be interesting to note that Brahmos has 290km range if it flies high for 240km and dives down and does S maneuver for last 40km which is lo. Now if it flies hi-hi-hi then I guess the range would be 400km+

[Arun_S]

I think it is time to watchout for Shourya-II hypersonic missile with separating hypersonic vehicle that may very well be scram-jet powered with purposie trajectory that can add 2K km to its current range.



Shourya class variants will take Indian military to be a unique class in its own.

[Arun_S]

[url="http://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/nl/2010/jul10.pdf"]July issue of DRDO newsletter[/url] report the following:



DRDO, in the recent past has witnessed remarkable achievements in advanced technologies and weapon systems. Successful launches of 3500 km range Agni-3; 600 km range highly manoeuvrable canisterised surface-to-surface missile ‘Shourya’; Block-II version of BrahMos with target discriminating capabilities and its vertically launched naval version gave DRDO moments of proud and glory. A hatrick was scored when Agni-1 missile capable of hitting the target within few metres of accuracy was launched, after the previous day launches of Prithvi and Dhanush in salvo mode as part of user training exercises. Akash, the medium range air defence system with multi-target, multidirectional capability was led to production. The launch of interceptor missile Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) took India closer to establishing a credible two-layer ballistic missile defence system covering both endo and exo atmospheric ranges. Launch of INS Arihant, the nuclear -powered submarine, propelled India into an elite club of the six technologically most advanced countries of the world. Arjun, the indigenously developed Main Battle Tank was inducted in to the Army and came out in flying colours during its operational evaluation. The first batch of ten armoured ambulance tracked vehicles was handed over to Army while orders for 135 BLT-T72, 16 AERV and 20 ROV Daksh were concluded. Three production lots of Pinaka were completed. Modern submachine carbine, multimode grenade (orders for over 10 lakh pieces), and the Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (orders for over 10,000 pieces) are being introduced into the Services.



Many outstanding technologies and products that include communications, command and control systems, radars, electronic warfare and electro-optical systems were developed and delivered to the Services.

Some of these are weapon locating radars, Samyukta and Sangraha, the two electronic warfare systems, and the first production version of Rohini radar. Low-level Light-Weight Radar (LLWR) Bharani developed for the Army Air Defence and a 3D Tactical Control Surveillance Radar were accepted by the Services after extensive user evaluation. LCA Tejas - India’s first indigenously developed light-weight multi-role combat aircraft in its final stages of initial operational clearance completed more than 1350 test flights and over 800 cumulative flying hours of tests. LSP3 became 9th and the most advanced till date among the Tejas aircraft undergoing tests. Weapon drop tests, night flying demonstration, high altitude trials, and the first flight of two-seater trainer version were the other major achievements. Confirmatory trials of Nishant were conducted at Pokhran. Avionics upgrade on MiG-27 and flight trials of the EW Suite for MiG-27 were completed. Technology was transferred to

BEL for the production of new generation hull mounted sonar HUMSA.

[vasu_ray]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='10 September 2010 - 01:30 PM' timestamp='1284153749' post='108231']

I think it is time to watchout for Shourya-II hypersonic missile with separating hypersonic vehicle that may very well be scram-jet powered with purposie trajectory that can add 2K km to its current range.



Shourya class variants will take Indian military to be a unique class in its own.

[/quote]



Assuming purpoising trajectory is due to alternating between 20sec bursts of thrust (climbing) followed by coasting (diving) at hypersonic velocity, what are the mach numbers associated with altitude?



specifically if mach nos required at 40km altitude to fly hypersonic are different from those required at 100km?

[Arun_S]

[quote name='vasu_ray' date='12 September 2010 - 03:00 AM' timestamp='1284240155' post='108252']

Assuming purpoising trajectory is due to alternating between 20sec bursts of thrust (climbing) followed by coasting (diving) at hypersonic velocity, what are the mach numbers associated with altitude?



specifically if mach nos required at 40km altitude to fly hypersonic are different from those required at 100km?

[/quote]

Mach number is in the same rather limited range of 5-8 M for which engine is optimized for thrusting phase; at 100 km there is no useful air density for lift or engine.

[Arun_S]

On another forum Jaldipc said:

Firstly,we dont have pure Ramjet tech.We still rely on Ruskies for brahmos engines either solid or liquid fuel.We are still in the process of developing a ramjet for ourself.

Dont get distracted by the integral ramjet tech of Akash since its much different than the actual ramjet aka Brahmos posses ignoring the solid/liquid fuel.. . . . . .



.... . . .Akash uses integral ramjet while brahmos uses ramjet.Akash dont need a booster since its own integral ramjet can kick start from 0kmph while Ramjet on Brahmos needs a booster to get the ramjet kicked on which is starving for the ramming air.And we cant compare the weights,only because one uses booster and other got an integral one.It is more about performance vis-a-vis penalities.

LRSAM or wotever the name it gets will be a breakthrough in terms of propulsion.Means getting hands on desi ramjet.

In this one jaldipc is wrong:



There is no ramjet in world that can kick-start at zero kmph and go supersonic.



Akash has integral rocket booster in the ramjet chamber that is expended in a short 1 second and takes the missile supersonic so that ramjet can breath life and propel the craft.



Unlike Brahmos the Akash uses a solid fuel engine that is much more difficult to master specially for Anti Aircraft role.

[Arun_S]

Saraswat: Agni-V will be test-fired in 2011

Ananya Dutta September 13, 2010 02:29 IST | Updated: September 13, 2010 02:29 IST KOLKATA, September 13, 2010

Agni-V, the inter-continental ballistic missile being developed in India, will be test-fired in 2011, director-general of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) V.K. Saraswat, said here on Sunday.



“Agni-V should be ready to be test-fired anytime next year. It is an intermediate-range ballistic missile,<img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />” said the Scientific Advisor to the Ministry of Defence.



Agni-V will be a three-stage solid fuelled missile that will carry a conventional nuclear warhead<img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':o' />. It will reportedly have a range of more than 5,000 km. It will be a canisterised missile, providing it flexibility, to be launched from multiple platforms on land and sea.



“Over the past 15 years, the successful launches of the Prithvi, Agni and BrahMos missiles have proved that the country's missile programme has reached a mature level,” Dr. Saraswat said.



The DRDO is also working on the next version of the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, he added. Dr. Saraswat was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an interactive session between academicians, policy makers and the industry, organised by the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI).



The ISI and the DRDO signed a memorandum of collaboration for a Rs. 9.7 crore-project to be executed over the next five years on the security of information at installations and networks of the DRDO. “The project involves indentifying high-end security solutions for government installations and our information network.”



Dr. Saraswat said there were two operations in information security — offensive and defensive — and that the DRDO was currently working on defensive solutions, which it considered essential.

Chalta Hai ... . . . . Indian seal of stumpedness.

[vasu_ray]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='11 September 2010 - 11:37 PM' timestamp='1284276564' post='108260']

Mach number is in the same rather limited range of 5-8 M for which engine is optimized for thrusting phase; at 100 km there is no useful air density for lift or engine.

[/quote]



An example is SpaceShipOne which glides down from such a high altitude avoiding extreme thermal loads by taking its time and its speed is mentioned as Mach 3 from Wiki