Ship-based Weapon Complex System
BRAHMOS, world's most potent supersonic cruise missile, has proved its mettle to precisely hit sea- and land-based targets beyond radar horizons. In its naval configuration, the weapon has been designed for launch in either vertical or inclined mode from a moving or static maritime platform from stand-off ranges against sea or land targets.
BRAHMOS has been deployed on Indian Navy's frontline surface combat platforms, including Destroyers and Frigates, as the "Prime Strike Weapon".
During a number of successful test firings carried out from naval warships, BRAHMOS has demonstrated its ultimate speed, pin-point accuracy and lethal firepower to completely annihilate enemy targets within no time. The successful launches have been carried out in both sea-to-sea and sea-to-land configurations.
The missile has also proved its 'salvo' launch capability to knock down a single or different targets located in different directions during a successful test firing carried out from the Navy's guided missile frigate, INS Trikand. In 'salvo' mode, the weapon can be launched within an interval of 2-2.5 seconds in various trajectories. A salvo of eight BRAHMOS missiles can penetrate and fully destroy a group of targets having modern anti-missile defences.
Indian Navy has deployed BRAHMOS since 2005. The formidable weapon has given an unparalleled outreach and flexibility to the Navy to undertake both littoral and high sea missions with agility and ease.
Special Features of the Weapon System:
- Fire Control System, Launcher and inter-connectivity with ship's navigation and sensors
- Salvo launch capability, where multiple missiles can be fired in different trajectories to hit a single or group of targets
- The missile's mid-course guidance is provided by Inertial Navigation System and the terminal course guidance by homing radar seeker. GPS/GLONASS can be added for augmenting the accuracy
- The intelligent characteristics of the missile are such that it is beyond present day's missile detection capability
INS Rajput, a guided missile destroyer, was the first Indian Navy platform to deploy the deadly BRAHMOS. The precision-attack missile has since been armed on a large number of Indian Navy warships.
A number of future naval platforms of India are also slated to be equipped with the powerful BRAHMOS.