India successfully tested the Nirbhay indigenous technology cruise missile (ITCM) in the air on Thursday using the Manik turbofan engine, an indigenous propulsion system, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. According to Hindustan Times, the military research and development organization (DRDO) carried out the test, which used the domestic small turbofan engine (STFE) Manik in place of the previous Russian engine. The DRDO reported that every subsystem functioned as expected throughout the test.
To guarantee full coverage of the flight path, several range sensors, including telemetry, radar, and electro-optical tracking systems (EOTS) placed at various sites by ITR, were used to track the missile’s performance. The Sukhoi-30MKI fighter plane of the Indian Air Force was also used to track the missile’s trajectory.
The missile displayed extremely low-altitude sea-skimming flight and used waypoint navigation to follow the intended course. An official claims that the successful flight test also demonstrated the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of Bengaluru’s indigenous propulsion system’s dependable performance.
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Additionally, the cruise missile has sophisticated software and avionics installed to guarantee improved and more dependable operation. The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO laboratory located near Bengaluru, is developing the missile with assistance from other labs and Indian industry.
The ITCM is a technology demonstrator program designed to verify the capabilities of its locally built tiny turbofan engines (STFEs), also called Manik engines, which have 450 kgf, enhanced radio frequency (RF) seekers, and other subsystems. The ITCM is based on the Nirbhay cruise missile system.
The Bengaluru-based Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has designed and developed the homegrown Manik engine, which has a thrust rating of 450 kgf, for use in unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.
Nirbhay Missile
Nirbhay is a cruise missile with a long range that is subsonic and can be launched from many platforms. At as low as 100 meters, it may cruise and loiter at Mach 0.7, or subsonic speed. It’s equipped with a nuclear weapon.
The DRDO carried out the initial test launch of the ITCM in 2020. The test missile veered off course, forcing the control room to demolish the missile system in midair.
Again, during the second launch, the missile veered off course. Still, the engine had run well. The missile’s engine failed during its third launch.
Rajnath Singh, the minister of defence, commended DRDO on the ITCM’s successful flight test and said that the creation of long-range subsonic cruise missiles powered by domestic propulsion is a significant achievement for Indian defense research and development.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO and Secretary of Defense R&D, commended the whole DRDO team on a job well done on the ITCM launch.
