The tests were conducted at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha, during which 25 enhanced Pinaka Rockets were launched in quick succession against targets at different ranges.
DRDO said that all the mission objectives were met during the launches. The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket System can destroy targets at distances up to 45 km.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired the extended range version of indigenously-developed Pinaka rocket from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) on Thursday and Friday. The system has been developed by two Pune-based DRDO facilities.
The tests were conducted at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha, during which 25 enhanced Pinaka Rockets were launched in quick succession against targets at different ranges.
DRDO said that all the mission objectives were met during the launches. The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket System can destroy targets at distances up to 45 km.
All the flight articles were tracked by range instruments including Telemetry, Radar and Electro Optical Tracking System deployed by DRDO facilities – Integrated Test Range (ITR) and Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE).
The rocket system has been developed jointly by Pune-based DRDO labs Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) ,and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), with manufacturing support from Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur. The development of the enhanced Pinaka system was taken up to achieve longer range performance.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the DRDO on the successful launch of enhanced Pinaka Rockets. DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy commended the efforts of the teams involved in the successful trials.
The launcher can operate in the following modes:-
Autonomous mode. The launcher is fully controlled by a fire control computer (FCC). The microprocessor on the launcher automatically executes the commands received from the FCC, giving the operator the status of the system on displays and indicators.
Stand-alone mode: In this mode, the launcher is not linked to the FCC operator, and the operator at the console enters all the commands for laying of the launcher system and selection of firing parameters.
Remote mode: In this mode, a remote control unit carried outside the cabin up to a distance of about 200 m can be used to control the launcher system, the launcher site and to unload the fired rocket pods from the launcher.
Manual mode: All launcher operations including laying of the system and firing are manually controlled. This mode is envisaged in the situations where the microprocessor fails or where there is no power to activate the microprocessor-based operator’s console.
The Pinaka was tested in the Kargil conflict and proved its effectiveness. Since then it has been inducted into the Indian Army and series production has been ordered. The Pinaka MBRL is stated to be cheaper than other systems. It costs ₹2.3 crore (US$320,000) per system compared to the M270 which costs ₹ ₹19.5 crore (US$2.7 million).