BrahMos test fired successfully in Orissa

Balasore: Defence scientists tested the supersonic cruise missile BahMos off the coast of Orissa. It is a world record by the defence scientists as for the first time, cruise missile was tested at supersonic speed in a steep dive mode. It was test fired from the integrated test range launching complex-3 (LC-3) at Chandipur, reports Hemant Kumar Rout of Times of India.

"The missile took off successfully and hit the desired target, meeting all mission parameters. It was a fantastic launch; a 100 percent success," said ITR Director S P Dash. The army's requirement for land attacks with block-II advanced seeker software with target discriminating capabilities has been fully met through the launch of this version which is now ready for induction.

"The missile flew in the designated complex trajectory including large manoeuvres and steep dive. This is the first time that a supersonic dive has been realised by a cruise missile," said a scientist who witnessed the test.

BrahMos was developed through an Indo-Russian joint venture after the two countries signed an agreement in February 1998. The missile got its name from Brahmaputra and Moskova rivers. The missile can travel at three times the speed of sound and carry a conventional warhead weighing 200-300 kg.