EXCLUSIVE: Nirbhay Cruise Missile Deviates From Trajectory, Terminated Mid Air

[Paranoid Android]

BALASORE: A developmental test of India’s first home grown cruise missile Nirbhay failed once again with the weapon system deviating from the pre-designated trajectory forcing the mission team to terminate it mid-way on Friday.

Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this nuclear capable missile was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the Odisha coast at about 11.40 am on Friday. The missile blasted off from a mobile launcher specifically designed for Nirbhay by the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE).

But as apprehended by ‘The New Indian Express’ in its previous story, the weapon system developed technical snags during flight and veered off the intended trajectory.

A reliable source said the missile could cover only 129 km in 11 minutes before deviating from the pre-coordinated flight path. “The missile has to be terminated mid-path to prevent damages to human habitation. The missile was to fly nearly one hour and cover full strike range. Forget about attaining low height as set for the mission, the missile could not even travel the desired distance,” the source claimed.
In an earlier report ‘The Express’ had mentioned how the fuel tank which had not cleared the Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) tests was used in Nirbhay-3 making it vulnerable during flight. It had also raised doubts on the Independent Verification and Validation of Nirbhay flight control software (NFCS).

In its first attempt on March 12, 2013, the missile had also behaved in a similar way and swerved, prompting the defence authorities to destroy it mid air. Even as the DRDO had then claimed that the missile covered nearly 200 km in 20 minutes before its deviation from the intended flight path, its wreckages had fallen in Gadaharishpur in Jagatsinghpur district which is nearly 100 km from the launching complex aerially.

Second test of the missile on October 17 last year was however claimed as successful by the DRDO though it could not maintain low height. Nirbhay continued its flight that lasted nearly 73 minutes and covered the desired distance. This time too the DRDO was expecting the missile to perform as coordinated. A few newly developed sub-systems were to be proved during this test.

Sources said some technical glitches had developed prior to the missile launch which reportedly delayed the test for nearly two hours. The missile was made vertical in the morning and the preliminary countdown set for 9.30 am after a special puja and some ceremonial offerings at launching complex. “Sukhoi fighter aircraft also had taken off from Kalaikunda air base to track the missile.

But the countdown was stopped at 3 minute due to some faults probably in the launcher. After sometime, the 20-minute countdown was again set and later it was increased to 50-minute,” the source said. The two-stage missile has a length of six meters, diameter of 0.52 m, wing span 2.7 m and a launch weight of about 1,500 kgs. While the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has designed the missile, its solid rocket motor booster has been developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL).

Nirbhay has been designed to have good loitering and maneuvering capability, best control and guidance, high degree of accuracy in terms of impact and stealth features. The cruise missile having a strike range of around 1,000 km is expected to supplement the Indo-Russian joint venture supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, which can carry warheads up to 290 km.

While the authorities of ITR were tightlipped, Director General of DRDO Selvin Christopher and Director General (Aeronautics) K Tamilmani did not respond calls from ‘The Express
EXCLUSIVE: Nirbhay Cruise Missile Deviates From Trajectory, Terminated Mid Air -The New Indian Express

 

[Indus Falcon]

Any official statements?

 

[Paranoid Android]

Any official statements?

Thread edited as I got a reliable source..

 

[sathya]

Indian engine used in this test ?

 

[shah1398]

It was bound to happen after this...

Is Nirbhay Missile Set for Trial with 'Shortcomings'?

 

[Ind4Ever]

After long time I got to get connected with Internet and opened defense site and found this news Hope we get it right next time

 

[The Ultranationalist]

 

[Providence]

Press people need to understand the difference between a consequence and an event.

Mid-air termination was not part of a mission input. It was a consequence of the missile deviating from it's path which clearly indicates the test failed altogether.

Trying to give it a spin that launch was successful or wings were deployed successfully amounts for nothing since the main aim was to validate the navigational elements.

 

[Dungeness]

Press people need to understand the difference between a consequence and an event.

Mid-air termination was not part of a mission input. It was a consequence of the missile deviating from it's path which clearly indicates the test failed altogether.

Trying to give it a spin that launch was successful or wings were deployed successfully amounts for nothing since the main aim was to validate the navigational elements.

That sounds much better then point blank "failure", so confused masses will have partial reason to cheer for a few days.

 

[raktaka]

Press people need to understand the difference between a consequence and an event.

Mid-air termination was not part of a mission input. It was a consequence of the missile deviating from it's path which clearly indicates the test failed altogether.

Trying to give it a spin that launch was successful or wings were deployed successfully amounts for nothing since the main aim was to validate the navigational elements.

This was only the third flight so its ridiculous to call the test a complete failure.

A LOT of missile parameters were validated as mentioned. Inducing its successful launch, flight deployment, etc. The course deviation from planned path was the failure and hence the test were terminated.

The main element was not the navigational guide. That was already tested and validated in the previous test when the missile flew as per all the designated path and points.

This test was to test is low level flight parameters. Its ability to gradually reduce its flight height and eventually fly as low as 20 meters above sea level.

For you to give it a spin abouts its navigational elements too amounts not nothing but prejudice.

That sounds much better then point blank "failure", so confused masses will have partial reason to cheer for a few days.

IS that how the chinese leadership play it ?

50 cent bots sure know who to cheer and leer.

 

[ptltejas]

Sorry NO Good Quotes or Good Speech or Dialogs for Infamy or others are Enough; We Indians Need to understand, this is matter of time and power, 2008 test for Nirbhay was delayed and now not succedding enough, this weapon is enough strong for tactical and stretagic empowerment and to make enemy in some threat; we need to solve this and to make this machine useful to country as early as possible, And As Quality as Quantity bases, much be stealth too.

 

[Providence]

This was only the third flight so its ridiculous to call the test a complete failure.

A LOT of missile parameters were validated as mentioned. Inducing its successful launch, flight deployment, etc. The course deviation from planned path was the failure and hence the test were terminated.

The main element was not the navigational guide. That was already tested and validated in the previous test when the missile flew as per all the designated path and points.

This test was to test is low level flight parameters. Its ability to gradually reduce its flight height and eventually fly as low as 20 meters above sea level.

For you to give it a spin abouts its navigational elements too amounts not nothing but prejudice..

Wait what ? TEST is FAILURE. PERIOD. I didn't say PROJECT has been a failure.

This test was about the altitude dive validation while navigating.

E.g. if the missile had to navigate terrains like

was to be validated.

That failed. Deal with it.

An unsuccessful take-off and flap deployment would have led to heads rolling. It was a hygienic requirement for the test and not a test parameter per se.

 

[raktaka]

Wait what ? TEST is FAILURE. PERIOD. I didn't say PROJECT has been a failure.

This test was about the altitude dive validation while navigating.

E.g. if the missile had to navigate terrains like

View attachment 265101

was to be validated.

That failed. Deal with it.

An unsuccessful take-off and flap deployment would have led to heads rolling.

No one called the test a complete success. Its not a total Failure either. Of ALL the parameters that needed testing and validation, some were validated. Which is what happens in a "TEST".

The part that failed will be tested again.

Now deal with that.


Finally heads don't roll in any govt. dept. You have job security, your career might get affected, but not fired.

 

[Providence]

No one called the test a complete success. Its not a total Failure either. Of ALL the parameters that needed testing and validation, some were validated. Which is what happens in a "TEST".

The part that failed will be tested again.

Now deal with that.


Finally heads don't roll in any govt. dept. You have job security, your career might get affected, but not fired.

Kid. Do YOU understand the difference between HYGENE factors and PERFORMANCE factors ? Google it. You won't go into a rambling mode about the "partial success" theory after you do.

 

[raktaka]

Kid. Do YOU understand the difference between HYGENE factors and PERFORMANCE factors ? Google it. You won't go into a rambling mode about the "partial success" theory after you do.

LOL..... sure. Apparently its you who will decide the HYGENE and PERFORMANCE factors, not DRDO

Nice try.