India has conducted a successful test of its developmental Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR).
The weapon was deployed from an AgustaWestland Sea King helicopter and demonstrated the ability to strike a target, says India’s defence ministry.
The helicopter launched the weapon in a bearing-only launch mode at several targets, but the pilot later used the weapon’s datalink to specify a specific small target, which was struck at maximum range.
“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,” says the ministry.
“The missile uses an indigenous imaging infrared seeker for terminal guidance. The mission also has demonstrated the high bandwidth two-way datalink system, which is used to transmit [live seeker] images back to the pilot for in-flight retargeting.”
The NASM-SR is produced by Adani Defence and Aerospace, which is involved in a series of precision-guided munition programmes.
According to the company, the rocket-powered NASM-SR has a “fire and forget” capability but can also be retargeted through the data link. It has both sea skimming and loft trajectory approach modes and can operate in all weather conditions.
New Delhi aims to retire its Sea Kings, which will see the NASM-SR incorporated with helicopters such as the Sikorsky MH-60R and Hindustan Aeronautics Dhruv.
