Defence scientists plan artillery rockets with 100-km range
Our Bureau
Hyderabad , Sept. 17
DEFENCE scientists are firming up plans to develop, precision-guided, long-range
artillery rockets (100-120 km), which will give the Indian Army more firepower.
At present the country's Multi Barrel Rocket System (MBRS) `Pinaka' has a range
of 40 km.
The Russians are offering rockets with range of 70 km, while the US has about
40-50 km, according to Dr A.S. Rajagopal, Director of the Pune-based Armaments
Research Development Establishment (ARDE).
The ARDE will be the co-ordinating project leader for the proposed national
initiative. The long-range rockets would also carry warhead to give it the
lethality, Dr Rajagopal told Business Line from Pune.
MBRS are considered unsurpassable weapons of tactical advantage by the artillery
in terms of firepower, manoeuvrability and element of surprise. However, the
range and accuracy of these rockets are undergoing changes worldwide, with the
growth in materials, electronics, propulsion, warhead and IT.
As a run up to the project, the ARDE organised a `brainstorming' meeting on
Wednesday in Pune. The topic was aerodynamic and ballistics aspects in design of
spinning long range unguided rockets.
Experts from the Defence Research & Development Organisation laboratories,
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Indian
Institute of Technology participated.
The meeting deliberated on preparing a road map. Experts also suggested problem
areas, suggested which institutes could make specific contributions and sharing
of tasks.
Dr Rajagopal said the project was expected to be ready in the next few months.
"By the end of the 12th Plan period, we should be able to offer the rocket to
the army. Already the technology is available for propulsion, guidance etc," the
ARDE Chief said.