By Saher Shodhan

The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that has been jointly developed by Russia and India as part of a venture of the same name. It’s design is derived from the SS-N-26, an earlier Russian cruise missile. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile which can be launched from aircraft, ground batteries, surface ships as well as submarines. The BrahMos missile is reported to have speeds of up to 2.8-3.0 mach, making it the fastest cruise missile in operation in the world. In addition to this, the BrahMos missile has a maximum range of 290 km and can hit targets as low as 10 metres above sea level.

DEVELOPMENT

The BrahMos has been jointly developed by a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of the Republic of India and Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia under the banner of BrahMos Aerospace. The company came into existence after an inter-governmental agreement was signed between the two countries in February 1998. It was originally planned to be inducted into the armed forces of both countries by 2003, but this has only been partially achieved as of today. Since 2004, the missile has undergone several tests from a wide variety of platforms in Rajasthan’s Pokran desert, including an ‘S’ maneuver at 2.8 mach.

The joint venture between Russia and India enabled the two countries to each contribute their comparative strengths. Russia built the propulsion system and provided the venture with its already acquired knowledge of cruise missiles, whereas India was responsible for programming the flight control and guidance systems.

DESCRIPTION

The BrahMos costs an estimated US $2.73 Million per unit and is powered by a two stage integrated rocket/ramjet engine. However, it has been argued by BrahMos Aerospace that this relatively higher unit cost is made up for by the Brahmos’ faster speed (three times as fast as America’s Tomahawk missile system) and its versatility, the Brahmos can be launched from land, air and sea, with a submarine launched version undergoing speculation.

Although the BrahMos is primarily an anti-ship missile, it can also engage land based targets. It can be launched either in a vertical or inclined position and is capable of covering targets over a 360 degree horizon. The BrahMos missile has an identical configuration for land, sea, and sub-sea platforms. The air-launched version has a smaller booster and additional tail fins for added stability during launch.

With a length of 8.4 meters, a mass of 3,000 kg and a speed of 2.8-3.0 mach the BrahMos can pack almost 30 times the punch compared to the US Tomahawk. However the BrahMos’ larger size and weight means its range is shorter and its payload smaller, suggesting that the BrahMos was built with a different strategic paradigm.

LAUNCH PLATFORMS

MOBILE AUTONOMOUS LAUNCHER (MAL)

The MAL is a state of the art land based weapon complex. Included in the weapon complex is an ultra advanced fire control system for co-ordinating launches against single or multiple targets.

The launcher is built upon a TATRA chassis and has been developed indigenously and contains all the facilities required for storing the missiles such as thermal gear to keep missiles cool as well as a communications suite to communicate in real time with the fire control system and launcher control system.

The MAL is capable of launching launching a single weapon or a salvo, depending on the orders of the commander. Even during a simultaneous launch, the missiles can either be directed at one or several targets, depending on the situation.

SUKHOI SU-30 MKI

The development related work concerning the air launched version of the BrahMos has already been completed and two aircraft, both Su-30 MKI’s have been earmarked for trials that begin in 2010, in order to ensure induction by 2012. The air based version is lighter and contains a smaller booster than the missile’s land and sea launched counterparts. The Sukhois will be fitted with pylons under their fuselage from which the BrahMos missile can be fired.

There has also been speculation that India’s 5 Il-38 and 8 Tupolev Tu-142 maritime patrol bombers are also to be armed with the missile.Estimated capacity is 6-BrahMos each as per the specifications of the Indian Navy.There are reports of efforts towards adding the capability to fire the BrahMos cruise missile from these aircraft. Mockups have been displayed with air-launched Brahmos attached to underwing pylons on the Indian Navy aircraft.

UNIVERSAL VERTICAL LAUNCHER MODE

The UVLM is similar to the Mobile Autonomous Launcher in its capabilities of firing single shots, salvos, coordinating fire control systems, etc. However the key difference is that the UVLM is a missile complex for sea launches. And has been fitted on the INS Rajput and INS Ranvir. The INS Rajput is one of India’s frontline destroyers and has been fitted with four BrahMos launchers, two on each side.

VARIANTS

• Ship launched, Anti-Ship variant (operational)
• Ship launched, Land attack variant (operational)
• Land launched, Land attack variant (operational)
• Land launched, Anti-Ship variant (In induction, tested December 10, 2010)
• Air launched, Anti-Ship variant (under development, expected completion 2012)
• Air launched, Land attack variant (under development, expected completion 2012)
• Submarine launched, Anti-Ship variant (under development, expected completion 2011)
• Submarine launched, Land attack variant (under development, expected completion 2011)
• BrahMos II land variant (Design completed, 4 variants ready to test in February 2011)

A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries a payload (usually explosive) and is usually powered by a jet engine. The defining characteristics of a cruise missile are it’s speed and it’s ability to be launched from a variety of platforms. Cruise missiles are usually found to have ranges between 100-500 kms, but can be longer.

Cruise missiles are used for attacking and neutralizing tactical targets with a high level of accuracy. Therefore, the element of speed is essential in increasing the effectiveness of a cruise missile. As many cruise missiles in operation today (including the BrahMos) are supersonic, by the time the target hears the sound of the missile, it is already too late to take shelter.

Such demands for speed and maneuverability requires a robust and state of the art propulsion system. The powerhouse behind the BrahMos is based on a Russian design. The BrahMos missile is powered by a two-stage propulsion system. Initial acceleration is provided by a solid-propellant booster and supersonic cruise speed is provided by a liquid-fuelled ramjet system. The air-breathing ramjet propulsion is more fuel-efficient in comparison with conventional rocket propulsion and it provides the BrahMos with a longer range over similar missiles powered by rocket propulsion. Working in tandem with the propulsion system is a state of the art guidance system developed by India under BrahMos Aerospace which uses the Russian GLONASS guidance system to hit it’s targets with an accuracy of a few metres for as long as 290 kms away.