© Aviation Analysis Wing History was created at Air Force Station Gwalior on today, when Indian Defense Minister Shri Manohar Parrik...
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© Aviation Analysis Wing
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The supersonic short range surface-to-air missile system has the capability to engage a wide variety of aerial threats like aircrafts, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles up to a maximum range of 25 km and upto an altitude of 20 Km.
The system is capable of simultaneously engaging multiple targets and employs command to line of sight guidance and relies on sophisticated radars and control systems to guide the missile to its targets. It has a dual mode guidance, initially on command mode from a phased array radar and later radar homing guidance with unique software developed for high accuracy.
Akash is a potent supersonic mobile multi-directional, multi-target point/ area Air Defence system that can simultaneously engage multiple air targets using sophisticated multi-function phased array radars. The advanced ECCM (Electronic Counter Counter Measures) features provide secure communication links with other Air Defence Command and Control networks to handle the counter electronic warfare scenario.
Developed by DRDO, the Army version of Akash is being produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) as the nodal production agency with the involvement of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and a large number of other industries. The missile is claimed to have a 96 percent indigenisation.
It uses high-energy solid propellant for the booster and ram-rocket propulsion for the sustainer phase. The propulsion system provides higher level of energy with minimum mass, compared to conventional solid/liquid rocket motor, that has better performance with minimum weight of the missile.
Each launch unit consist of three missiles. The mobile launchers are based on tracked or wheeled vehicles.
In May, Indian Army inducted its first unit of the Akash SAM.
