Prithvi Interceptor Missile | Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF Download

UPSC PERSPECTIVE

• Mains Paper 3: Science & Technology – Indigenization of technology & developing new technology

UPSC PRELIMS 2008

• In the context of Indian defence, what is ‘Dhruv’ ?

1. A) Aircraft-carrying warship
2. B) Missile-carrying submarine
3. C) Advanced light helicopter
4. D) Intercontinental ballistic missile

ANSWER – C

• The HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter developed and manufactured by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The development of the Dhruv was first announced in November 1984, and it was subsequently designed with assistance from MBB in Germany.

 WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

India successfully conducted an interceptor missile test off the Odisha coast on Sunday night, achieving a major milestone in developing a twolayer Ballistic Missile Defence The interceptor was launched from Abdul Kalam Island, earlier known as Wheeler Island of the Integrated Test Range (ITR)

PRITHVI DEFENCE VEHICLE (PDV) MISSION

• This PDV mission is for engaging the targets in the exoatmosphere region at an altitude above 50 km of the earth’s atmosphere DRDO.
• Both the PDV interceptor and the target missile were successfully engaged.
• In an automated operation, radar-based detection and tracking system detected and tracked the enemy’s ballistic missile.

NOTES

• The computer network with the help of data received from radars predicted the trajectory of the incoming ballistic missile.
• The interceptor guided by high-accuracy Inertial Navigation System (INS) supported by a Redundant Micro Navigation System moved towards the estimated point of the interception.

NOTES

• Once the missile crossed the atmosphere, the Heat Shield ejected and the IR Seeker dome opened to look at the target location as designated by the mission computer.
• With the help of Inertial Guidance and IR Seeker the missile moved for interception.
• All events were monitored in real-time by the Telemetry/Range Stations, at various other locations.

NOTES

The new two-stage solid-fueled PDV interceptor is fitted with an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, developed by DRDO, to distinguish between incoming warheads and decoys.

 BACKGROUND

• The PDV was first tested in April 2014. The missile interceptor had a “near miss” at an altitude of 120 kilometers.
• However, in February 2017, the Interceptor missile was successfully test fired from the Abdul Kalam Island.
• The PDV is slated to replace the existing Prithvi Air Defense (PAD)/Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor

HOW SAFE ARE WE?

Indian ballistic missile defence programme is a double-tiered system consisting of two interceptor missiles, namely the PDV missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile for lower altitude interception. Advanced Air Defence (AAD) – Endo-Atmospheric Prithvi (PDV) – Exo-Atmospheric

PAKISTAN’S REPONSE

Pakistan has tested a ballistic missile with a multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) During testimony to Congress outlining worldwide threats on March 6, Robert Ashley, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), stated : “In January 2017, Pakistan conducted the first test launch of its nuclear-capable Ababeel ballistic missile, demonstrating South Asia’s first MIRV payload.”

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