India Conducts Successful Flight Test of Smart

The Indian Defence System has got a new feather in its cap by successful flight testing of the Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The SMART Flight Test is a ‘game-changer’ for the Indian Defence System. During the test, the missile’s full-range capability was tested. In the SMART System, the torpedoes are launched using the supersonic missile systems so that they can cover a range more than 20 times its original range.

What is the SMART System?

The Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo (SMART) system is a hybrid missile that has a combination of two weapon systems to make it healthier and faster. With the SMART system, India gets an anti-submarine weapon with a higher range as the missiles can enhance the range of the torpedoes to a great extent. When launched from a warship, SMART takes off like any supersonic missile. After it goes close to the submerged submarine, the missile will eject the torpedo so that it could hit the target. The technologies needed for the SMART System were developed in different Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) laboratories.   

What are torpedos?

Torpedoes are underwater, self-propelled weapons to hit the target. They can be fired under or above the water surface. The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) had started its project to build missile-assisted torpedoes in the mid-2010s. The first successful flight test of SMART was conducted on October 5th, 2020. 

Successful Flight Tests of SMART

October 5th, 2020: The flight test of the Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo (SMART) was successfully conducted at 11:45 hours from Wheeler Island, located off the coast of Odisha. The mission objectives met during the test are:

• Separation of the nose cone
• Flight of the missile up to the required range and altitude
• Release of Torpedo
• Deployment of VRM (Velocity Reduction Mechanism)

All the events during the tests were monitored by the tracking systems with radars and electro-optical systems. The flight test was conducted from a platform located at the Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as the Wheeler Island. 

December 13th, 2021:

The second successful flight test of the SMART system was conducted from  Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. 

According to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the SMART flight test showcased the full range capability of the missile which has advanced technologies such as electromechanical actuators, a two-stage solid propulsion method, and inertial navigation. 

The technologies used in the Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo(SMART) System were developed in the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) laboratories including RCI Hyderabad, DRDL, NSTL Visakhapatnam, and ADRDE Agra.

India and its history of missiles

India started its IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program) under the leadership of the former President of India and eminent scientist, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, who launched the first SLV (Satellite Launched Vehicle) SLV-3. The IGMDP project was started in 1983, on 26th July at DRDL, a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Hyderabad. Under this program, a host of missiles were developed such as the IRBM, the Akash, the Trishul, and the Nag. Over the years, India has got many indigenously created missile systems. 

Classification of Missile

The missiles are classified based on their launch mode, type, range, warhead, propulsion, and guided system.

Based on type, the missiles are further categorized into cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

Ballistic Missile: During most of its flight path, such a missile has a ballistic trajectory irrespective of whether it is going to deliver a weapon or not. Ballistic missiles vary according to the range and distance. These missiles can carry huge payloads and can be launched from land and ship. India has a rage of ballistic missiles such as Agni I, Agni II, Prithvi I,  and Prithvi II. 

Cruise Missile: It is an unmanned, self-propelled guided missile that keeps flying due to aerodynamic lift during most of its path and its primary mission is to place a special payload or ordnance on the target. These missiles can be launched from air, land, submarine, or surface ship and vary in size and speed. 

Depending on the speed of the cruise missiles, they are categorized into subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic missiles. 

Subsonic cruise missiles: They travel with a speed of 0.8 Mach which is lesser than the speed of the sound. 

Supersonic cruise missiles: The speed of Supersonic missile is around 2-3 Mach i.e. one KM/sec. These missiles can be integrated with submarines, aircrafts, warships, etc. because of their versatility and modular designs. 

Hypersonic cruise missiles: The speed of these missiles is more than 5 Mach. 

Conclusion

The successful flight test of the Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo is a forward step towards the futuristic defence system in India. The SMART system will help the Indian Defence System to become self-reliant. According to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the SMART system aims at enhancing the anti-submarine warfare capability of India. With the successful test of this long-range Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo, the strength of the Indian Navy will increase to a great extent.