India’s defense capabilities may get a major upgrade after the country’s defense organization successfully test-fired a supersonic missile torpedo system on December 13.
Officially called the Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo (SMART) system, it was developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
According to an official release by DRDO, the SMART system will help enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare capability. The test was successfully conducted from Balasore in Odisha. The Times of India quoted a defense official as saying that “the weapon system is being developed by DRDO for the Indian Navy.”
The statement claimed that SMART is a next-generation missile-based standoff torpedo delivery system, and the test was able to demonstrate the missile’s full-range capability.
SMART was designed to improve India’s anti-submarine warfare capability beyond the conventional range.
“It was a textbook launch, where the entire trajectory was monitored by various range radars, including electro-optic telemetry systems, downrange instrumentation and downrange ships. The missile had a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanism.” ,
According to DRDO, the missile can be launched from a ground mobile launcher and is propelled by a range of technologies including “two-stage solid propulsion, electro-mechanical actuators and precise inertial navigation”.
The smart system was specifically designed for the development of sub-systems by DRDO laboratories with contributions from industry players. DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy announced that the system will “further enhance the strength of our Navy and promote self-reliance in defense, utilizing expertise and capabilities.”