India successfully completed flight test for first nuke capable cruise missile Nirbhay. The missile is developed indigenously by the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The new missile is capable of carrying a nuclear weapon to 1000-km apart.
This is the fifth flight test of the missile. Previous attempts were partial failures according to DRDO scientist. The development of this missile will complement the BrahMos, an Indo-Russian missile.
Ballistic missiles like the Agni follow a parabolic trajectory. Ballistic missiles leave and re-enter the earth’s atmosphere before hitting their targets.
Cruise missiles like Nirbhay, in turn, are designed to fly at low-altitudes, almost hugging the terrain, to evade enemy radars and missile defense systems.
The successful flight tests giving bright future in armed forces, which is looking for a nuclear attack capable cruise missile. The sub-sonic missile, designed to carry a 300-kg nuclear warhead, had failed during its first test in March 2013.
Though the second test in October 2014 was a partial success, the third and fourth tests in October 2015 and December 2016 also flopped, leading to talk that the project may have to be scrapped.
Post Your Comments