India has achieved a major milestone as air defence system on Friday successfully test-fired the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) System which hit its Banshee Pilotless target aircraft directly at medium range and medium altitude.
The missile launch took place from ITR Chandipur on November 13, 2020 at 1550 hours off the Odisha Coast. ALSO READ | IAF Displays Strength, Successfully Test Fires Air-Launched Version Of BrahMos Missile From Sukhoi Jet

The Ministry of Defence in a release said that the missile is propelled by a single stage solid propellant rocket motor and uses all indigenous subsystems. The Missile is canisterised for transportation and launch using a mobile launcher capable of carrying 6 canisterised missiles.

"All QRSAM weapon system elements like Battery Multifunction Radar, Battery Surveillance Radar, Battery Command Post Vehicle and Mobile Launcher were deployed in the flight test. The system is capable of detecting and tracking targets on the move and engaging target with short halts. It is designed to give air defence coverage against strike columns of Indian Army," the statement said.



Elaborating further over the successful launch, the ministry in its statement said that the radar tracked the Banshee target from farthest range and missile was launched when target was within kill zone and achieved the direct hit with terminal active homing by RF Seeker guidance.

"The weapon system elements have been realised through Defence PSUs BEL, BDL and private industry L&T. The missile system is fully indigenous with active RF Seekers, Electro Mechanical Actuation (EMA) systems sourced from various industries," Defence Ministry added.

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Upon the successful launch of the missile, Union Defence MInister Rajnath Singh, Secretary DD R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated DRDO Scientists for the achievement.