Akash Prime Missile

In News 

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Akash Prime missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha.
  • The missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking enemy aircraft, in its maiden flight test after improvements.

About 

• The Akash Prime is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• It can be fired from a tank or a wheeled truck.
• In comparison to the existing Akash System, Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved accuracy. 
• Other improvements also ensure more reliable performance under low-temperature environments at higher altitudes. 
• A modified ground system of the existing Akash weapon system has been used for the current flight test. 
• The range stations of ITR comprising Radars, Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Telemetry stations monitored the missile trajectory and flight parameters.

Significance 

• The Akash Prime system will further boost the confidence of the users (Indian Army and Indian Air Force) as the Akash system is already inducted and now getting improved with more lethal missiles.

Source: HT