Surface-to-air Akash missile successfully test-fired

[SQ8]

I would not say comparable to the Patriot in terms of engagement sphere.. but rather to the Buk missile system. Different only in that the Buk missile is based on the TELAR system for launch engagement while while the AKASH relies only on the Rajendra for engagement. In essence, a single BuK vehicle can in theory engage a target on its own without support but the AKASH needs the Rajendra vehicle for search and guidance.

Actually Akash's range is believed to be much more than 25or 30 KM. This is range is the range when missile do a lots of maneuvers to chase plane.

Please do not go on believed. The range quoted is the effective engagement range.. in which the AKASH has a high chance of scoring a kill. After that range.. the kinematics of the missile deteriorate and its ability to get a kill also goes down exponentially.

 

[Dillinger]

I would not say comparable to the Patriot in terms of engagement sphere.. but rather to the Buk missile system. Different only in that the Buk missile is based on the TELAR system for launch engagement while while the AKASH relies only on the Rajendra for engagement. In essence, a single BuK vehicle can in theory engage a target on its own without support but the AKASH needs the Rajendra vehicle for search and guidance.


Please do not go on believed. The range quoted is the effective engagement range.. in which the AKASH has a high chance of scoring a kill. After that range.. the kinematics of the missile deteriorate and its ability to get a kill also goes down exponentially.

Some one somewhere once compared it to the Patriot system and from that day onward..

Of course if the folks reading the article would do even some rudimentary research on their own (NOT from news articles) they'd know the fallacy of stating such a parity.

That having been said the system has its merits but the MOD and DRDO have been extremely tardy in exploiting its full potential. Thankfully the ROHINI/CAR sensor system will now be replaced by the ASHWINI 4D AESA radar. The Rajendra radar will also meet a similar fate as the Rohini.

Still, the missile itself remains command guided and retains materials and propellant technology which are outdated. The MOD should have directed the development agencies to start applying existing materials and high energy propellant solutions so as to incrementally increase the effective engagement range and kill-envelope of the missile itself.

Lastly, less than optimum platform solutions still hold back the system. "Canisterization" of the missiles is required now along with moving away from ungainly large trucks which have been pressed into service as the wheeled platform variant.

Such a large carrier platform (the above) is apt for TBMs and GLCMs, not for a SR-SAM system. A far more agile and rugged solution is available in the more recent offerings from TATA etc. or even perhaps on an armored IFV such as the Kestrel (sans the MCT-30R turret).


Improvement of missile kinematics, seeker integration (so that it can execute the end-game with its own eyes so to say, allowing the battery level radar to go "off" during the end-phase of engagements if faced by ARMs- among other more obvious advantages), better packaging and platforms are essential.

But with the SR-SAM and LR-SAM projects pursuing ab-initio developed systems in concert with foreign OEMs it is unlikely that such detailed upgrades for the Akash shall ever be pursued- a shame.

 

[npm]

Why do we only have 2 Aakash (2000 count) regiments for IA. What is the rationale behind this? Don't they trust the system or is that an enough number. Also even though 8 regiments are with IAF the number of missiles is less (1000).

Future wars are all dependent on strength of air force and missile capability. Doesn't it make more sense in investing in systems to protect these vital assets. Guru's to help me understand please.

-NPM

 

[HariPrasad]

Why do we only have 2 Aakash (2000 count) regiments for IA. What is the rationale behind this? Don't they trust the system or is that an enough number. Also even though 8 regiments are with IAF the number of missiles is less (1000).

Future wars are all dependent on strength of air force and missile capability. Doesn't it make more sense in investing in systems to protect these vital assets. Guru's to help me understand please.

-NPM

It is because more advince missiles like LRSAM and MRSAM are coming. Akash MK2 is in making. It will be a substantial improvement over Akash MK1 in terms of Range, Speed and engagement capability.

 

[npm]

It is because more advince missiles like LRSAM and MRSAM are coming. Akash MK2 is in making. It will be a substantial improvement over Akash MK1 in terms of Range, Speed and engagement capability.

Thank you. But I don't have any confidence in the execution timelines provided by our agencies. This will go long and all we get year after year is updated delivery schedules (case and point Rafale; Kaveri Engine). Anycase hope for the best.

But they should strength the existing assets with what you have now and then upgrade when you get an improved version. Current timeline may be 5yrs. Just a thought tho.

 

[HariPrasad]

Thank you. But I don't have any confidence in the execution timelines provided by our agencies. This will go long and all we get year after year is updated delivery schedules (case and point Rafale; Kaveri Engine). Anycase hope for the best.

But they should strength the existing assets with what you have now and then upgrade when you get an improved version. Current timeline may be 5yrs. Just a thought tho.

both LRSAMand Akash MK2 are likely to enter in services by 2015.

 

[astitva sood]

Lrsam(barak 8) missiles have already been tested once or twice and aakash 2 missiles would be upgraded version of aakash 1 so wouldnt take long to get them ready

 

[HariPrasad]

Lrsam(barak 8) missiles have already been tested once or twice and aakash 2 missiles would be upgraded version of aakash 1 so wouldnt take long to get them ready

Actually last news of Akash MK2 surfaced in 2011 with the news that it will be tested in 2 years. Since than there is no news of Akash Mk2. It is possible that they mave changed the specification completely. Now we have a very potent very high specific impulse motor, we should use that in place of RAM engine used in Akash. I look forward to SAM version of ASTRA.