The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently conducted a successful test firing of a new version of an air-launched medium-range ballistic missile capable of striking targets beyond 250 km.
Missile Launch Details:
- The missile, known as ROCKS or Crystal Maze 2, was launched from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet stationed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- It represents a new generation extended stand-off range air-to-surface missile.
Key Features:
- Strike range exceeding 250 km.
- Capable of targeting enemy long-range radar and air defense systems.
- Options for either a penetration or blast fragmentation warhead.
- Designed to strike high-value stationary and relocatable targets in GPS-denied environments.
Deployment Strategy:
- Release the missile well outside the surface-to-air defended area.
- Followed by a high-velocity trajectory to minimize risk to aircraft and missiles.
Production Plans:
- The IAF plans to focus on mass production of these missiles under the Make in India initiative.
- Leveraging technology acquired from Israel.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the name of the air-launched medium-range ballistic missile recently tested by the Indian Air Force?
- A) Crystal Ball
- B) ROCKS
- C) Air Strike 250
- D) Sky Blaster
- Answer: B) ROCKS
- From which fighter jet was the ROCKS missile launched during the test?
- A) Rafale
- B) Su-30 MKI
- C) Tejas
- D) Mirage 2000
- Answer: B) Su-30 MKI
- Where was the test launch of the ROCKS missile conducted?
- A) Lakshadweep Islands
- B) Sri Lanka
- C) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- D) Maldives
- Answer: C) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- What is one of the key features of the ROCKS missile?
- A) Strike range of 100 km
- B) Limited targeting capability
- C) GPS-denied environment operation
- D) Capable of targeting submarines
- Answer: C) GPS-denied environment operation
- What is the deployment strategy of the ROCKS missile to minimize risk to aircraft and missiles?
- A) Direct approach towards the target
- B) Releasing the missile within the surface-to-air defended area
- C) Low-velocity trajectory
- D) Releasing the missile well outside the surface-to-air defended area
- Answer: D) Releasing the missile well outside the surface-to-air defended area