3. Introduction
Akash is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air
missile defense system developed by theDefence
Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO), Ordnance Factories Boar
The missile system can target aircraft up to 30 km
away, at altitudes up to 18,000 m. d and Bharat
Electronics(BEL) in India.
A nuclear warhead could potentially give the missile
the capability to destroy both aircraft and warheads
from ballistic missiles.
4.
5. Development
The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in
1990, with development flights up to March 1997.
Two Akash missiles intercepted two fast moving
targets in simultaneous engagement mode in 2005.
3-D Central Acquisition Radar (3D-CAR) group mode
performance is also fully established.
The Akash Missile Development cost of ₹ 1,000crore
($200 million), including the project sanction of ₹ 600
crore ($120 million), is 8-10 times lower than the cost
of similar system developments in other countries.
6.
7. Description
Akash is a surface-to-air missile with
an intercept range of 30 km.
It has a launch weight of 720 kg, a diameter of
35 cm and a length of 5.78 metres.
Akash flies at supersonic speed, reaching
around Mach 2.5.
It can reach an altitude of 18 km and can be fired
from both tracked and wheeled platforms.
The Akash carries an onboard radio-proximity
fuse.
8.
9. System
Each Akash battery consists of four self-propelled
Launchers (3 Akash SAMs each), a Battery Level
Radar - the Rajendra, and a Command post
(Battery Control Centre).
Two batteries are deployed as a Squadron (Air
Force), while up to four form an Akash Group (Army
configuration).
Communications between the various vehicles are
a combination of wireless and wired links. The
entire system is designed to be set up quickly and
to be highly mobile for high survivability.
10.
11. Operators
India Indian air force - 8 Akash Squadrons
(1,000 missiles)
IndianArmy - with modifications - 2 Akash
Regiments (2,000 missiles)
