India has achieved a significant milestone in defense technology with the successful test-fire of Rudram-1, its first indigenous anti-radiation missile developed by DRDO for the IAF.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Platform Integration: Integrated with IAF’s Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets.
- Navigation System: Features INS-GPS navigation for accurate targeting.
- Homing Capability: Equipped with a Passive Homing Head for precise final attacks on radiation-emitting targets.
Comparison with International Counterparts
- AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) (USA)
- Usage: U.S. Air Force and Navy for SEAD missions.
- Features: Sophisticated seeker head; minimal aircrew input.
- Kh-58 Anti-Radiation Missile (Russia)
- Range: 120 kilometers.
- Flexibility: Various seeker heads for targeting air defense radars.
- Air-Launched Anti-Radiation Missile (ALARM) (UK)
- Capability: Loiters and attacks activated enemy radars; sustained SEAD operations.
- FT-2000 System (China)
- Target: AEW and AWACS aircraft.
- Derived From: Russian S-300PMU; tailored for radar-emitting targets.
- Hormoz-2 Anti-Radiation Missile (Iran)
- Range: Approximately 300 kilometers; maritime anti-radiation capability.
- MAR-1 Missile (Brazil)
- Manufacturer: Mectron; exported to Pakistan.
- Target: Effective suppression of enemy air defenses.
Strategic Significance of Rudram-1
- Operational Range: Up to 250 kilometers; adaptable to varying launch conditions.
- Operational Flexibility: Can be launched from altitudes ranging 500 meters to 15 kilometers.
- Geopolitical Impact: Enhances India’s defense against regional threats, particularly from China and Pakistan.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Which country developed the Rudram-1 anti-radiation missile?
- A) India
- B) Russia
- C) USA
- D) China
- Answer: A) India
- What type of navigation system does Rudram-1 use for targeting?
- A) INS-GPS
- B) Inertial Navigation System
- C) INS-Glonass
- D) INS-Beidou
- Answer: A) INS-GPS
- Which country’s military uses the AGM-88 HARM extensively?
- A) Russia
- B) China
- C) USA
- D) UK
- Answer: C) USA
- What is the approximate operational range of the MAR-1 missile?
- A) 120 kilometers
- B) 250 kilometers
- C) 300 kilometers
- D) 500 kilometers
- Answer: B) 250 kilometers
- Which missile system is known for its capability to target AEW and AWACS aircraft?
- A) Kh-58
- B) FT-2000
- C) ALARM
- D) MAR-1
- Answer: B) FT-2000