Pralay quasi-ballistic missile
Date: 24 December 2021 Tags: MilitaryIssue
The DRDO has successfully carried out the maiden test of ‘Pralay’, a new surface-to-surface conventional quasi-ballistic missile.
Background
The missile was launched from APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha.
Details
The missile has a range of 150-500 km and has a low trajectory. It is based on Prithvi Defence Vehicle from the Indian ballistic missile programme.
Features
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The missile is capable of being launched from a mobile launcher and has latest navigation system and integrated avionics to improve its functioning.
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The missile is powered with solid propellant rocket motor.
Significance
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The advanced missile has the capability to defeat interceptor missiles launched towards it path of flight.
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It has the ability to change its path after covering certain range mid-air and is difficult to be tracked by enemy radars
Prithvi Defence Vehicle
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It is an interceptor vehicle that has the capability to engage targets in exo-atmosphere region at an altitude above 50 km of the earth’s atmosphere.
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It is fitted with Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker to distinguish between incoming warheads and decoys.
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It works on two stages of which the first stage is a Solid fuelled motor while the second stage is Liquid fuelled.
Ballistic missiles
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A ballistic missile follows a curved trajectory to deliver one or more warheads on a predetermined target.
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These missiles are controlled only during initial flight unlike cruise missiles which are guided during their complete flight.
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Ballistic missiles have the capacity to carry conventional high explosives as well as chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions.