Maiden Flight Test of DRDO’s New Akash Missile Variant

A new version of the Akash Missile – ‘Akash Prime’ developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been flight tested from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha on 27 September 2021 at around 4:30 pm.

The missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking enemy aircrafts, in its maiden flight test after improvements.

In comparison to existing Akash System, Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active RF seeker for improved accuracy, the company said in a release.

Other improvements also ensure more reliable performance under low temperature environment at higher altitudes. Modified ground system of the existing Akash weapon system has been used for the current flight test. The range stations of ITR comprising of Radars, EOTS and Telemetry stations monitored the missile trajectory and flight parameters.

Secretary DD R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy the Akash system is already inducted and now getting improved with more lethal missiles.