DRDO Successfully Tests 1,000 KM Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile Nirbhay; Can Be Re-Targeted In Flight

After successfully developing Anti-Satellite missile technology, DRDO today (15 April) achieved another feat in defence technology with the successful test of its indigenously developed Nirbhay sub-sonic cruise missile off the coast of Odisha.

The sophisticated missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) took off in a programmed manner and all critical operations like launch phase, booster deployment, engine start, wing deployment and other parameters were demonstrated through autonomous way point navigation.

"The missile majestically cruised and covered its given range," DRDO said, adding that it was tracked with the help of ground-based radars and other parameters were monitored by indigenous telemetry stations developed by DRDO.

This was the sixth test of Nirbhay missile, the first of which took place in 2013. However, the issues related to its flight control software and hardware have been rectified now, reports The Week.

The missile uses inertial navigation and GPS guidance to reach its target, and has a range of 1,000 km. Nirbhay, a subsonic cruise missile differs from Brahmos, as it is lighter, smaller in dimension and can be re-targeted while in flight, scouting for the targets.