The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy carried out successful flight trials of a naval anti-ship missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The trials, carried out on Tuesday, demonstrated the missile’s capability against ship targets when launched from a helicopter.
“The trials have proven the missile’s man-in-loop feature and scored a direct hit on a small ship target in sea-skimming mode at its maximum range. The missile uses an indigenous imaging infra-red seeker for terminal guidance,” the DRDO said in a statement on Wednesday. The feature allows a pilot to retarget the missile mid-flight.
The mission has demonstrated the high bandwidth, two-way datalink system, which is used to transmit live images back to the pilot for in-flight retargeting, the DRDO said.
The missile initially locked on to a large target within a specified zone of search and during the terminal phase, the pilot selected a smaller hidden target, resulting in it being hit with pinpoint accuracy, the statement said.
The missile uses an indigenous fibre optic gyroscope-based inertial navigation system and radio altimeter for its mid-course guidance, an integrated avionics module, electro-mechanical actuators for aerodynamic and jet vane control, thermal batteries and a warhead, the DRDO said. “It uses solid propulsion with an in-line ejectable booster and a long-burn sustainer. The trials have met all the mission objectives,” the statement said.
DRDO and Indian Navy successfully flight tested Naval Anti Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR) on 25 Feb 2025 from ITR, Chandipur. The trials have proven the missile’s Man-in-Loop feature and scored a direct hit on a small Ship target in sea-skimming mode at its maximum range pic.twitter.com/ykNTYl2RKR
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) February 26, 2025
The missiles are currently being produced by development and production partners with the help of micro, medium and small enterprises and start-ups.
Congratulating all stakeholders on the successful tests, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the test for the man-in-loop feature is unique as it examines the capability of in-flight retargeting.
