Target simulation drill at ITR
Hemant Kumar Rout I ENS
First Published : 23 Oct 2008 08:10:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 23 Oct 2008 11:59:15 AM IST
BALASORE: Today was a red-letter day for Indian scientists.
Minutes after the successful launch of India’s maiden mission to moon Chandrayaan- 1 by the ISRO scientists from Sriharikota, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists here successfully conducted a target simulation exercise involving Russia-made missile Tsung.
The exercise was coordinated from the integrated test range (ITR), about 15 km from Balasore and conducted by the DRDO scientists in association with Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel for the fighter aircraft pilots.
Defence sources said as part the exercise a tow body suspended from a micro-light aircraft (MCLA) was targeted and destroyed by the Tsung missile fired from the Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft.
‘‘First the MCLA, also known as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was flown from the launching complex-II of the ITR. After making two laps it released a tow body, which was targeted by the Tsung missile fired from Sukhoi-30 lifted up from Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal,’’ informed the source.
While Tsung is a four-km range anti-aircraft missile, the MLCA is a surface/shiplaunched high subsonic reusable aerial target system, remotely piloted from ground. It provides training to the gun/missile crew and air defence pilots for weapon engagement.
The scientists here were ecstatic as the success of the target simulation exercise coincided with the successful launch of India’s first moon mission.
The sources indicated that there might be one or two such exercises within next two days.
‘‘The exercise helps a lot to the trainee fighter air-craft pilots who later showcase their potential in engaging the enemy targets,’’ it added.
Meanwhile, the DRDO is developing a new generation of unmanned aerial vehicles designed to deploy laser target designators (LTDs) deep inside enemy territory.
‘‘This is to cut down the risk of the troops getting caught inside enemy territory while illuminating targets for attack and save the cost of sending another aircraft for doing the task,’’ informed a defence source.
