New version of BrahMos missile tested

New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) India Wednesday tested its latest version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the integrated test range (ITR) in Balasore off the Odisha coast.

The Block III version of BrahMos trial, carried out around 11.30 a.m., was described as 'a test book launch' that achieved '100 percent results' by BrahMos Aerospace chief Dr A. Sivathanu Pillai in a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) release issued here.

The missile will provide a greater, high precision strike capability to Indian armed forces.

'Around 1130 hours today (Wednesday), BrahMos Block III version with advanced guidance algorithm was flight tested from ITR Balasore,' the release said.

The missile flew through the designated 290-km distance at Mach 2.8 (close to three times the speed of sound) and achieved high precision with steep dive once again, to hit the designated target.

The network of telemetry stations and down range ships confirmed that the missile followed the pre-designated flight path.

'It was a text book launch achieving 100 percent results,' stated Pillai.

The missile was completely integrated at the BrahMos Integration Complex at Hyderabad.

The flight was witnessed by senior officers from the Indian armed force, the BrahMos chief executive officer and managing director, along with BrahMos Project Director S. Som and executive director. Rear Admiral S. Mohapatra were present during the launch.

The two-stage surface-to-surface missile has already been inducted into the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.