Project Kusha / Programme LRSAM / PGLRSAM

Fatalis

Fatalis

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Sep 30, 2022
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DRDO has been working on a very long range Surface to Air missile to meet the demands of Indian Armed Forces.

Previously, the rumors were that it will be known as XRSAM and will have only one missile with ranges upto 300km.

Then the information got updated and it was called as Extended Range Air Defence System having two type of missiles - ERSAM and XRSAM having ranges 150km and 250km respectively.

Recently, there was a news report that this project is now known as Programme LRSAM and it comprises of three different types of missiles called M1, M2 and M3. These three missiles will have different ranges varying from 150km to 350km. Due to this name, the Indian Navy which was previously using LRSAM name for joint DRDO - IAI missile changed the name to MRSAM.

It was also mentioned that Project has gone to the Defence Ministry for approval.
 
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Latest update is that the project has been approved by the Defence Ministry.

IMG_20231002_220256.jpg
 
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Kind of indicates they are happy with its progress. I think at least once M1 article is tested against sea skimming target before during the last MRSAM test. This is due to the stage separation adapter tender being re-issued last month, 2 weeks ago. This tender doc showed the M1 M2 M3 missiles under this programme. So obviously it is for another dev stage testing perhaps. Repeat appearance after several months suggest at least 1 test may have happened.

On the S-400 missile defense system and LR-SAM: "Our contract was for five systems and three have been delivered. There is a hindrance in delivery due to the Russia-Ukraine war and we are sure that in the next year, we will be getting the remaining systems. We are also using the Indigenous Project Kusha for indigenous long-range air defense systems.", says (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709123636588847557
 
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marich01 said:
Kind of indicates they are happy with its progress. I think at least once M1 article is tested against sea skimming target before during the last MRSAM test. This is due to the stage separation adapter tender being re-issued last month, 2 weeks ago. This tender doc showed the M1 M2 M3 missiles under this programme. So obviously it is for another dev stage testing perhaps. Repeat appearance after several months suggest at least 1 test may have happened.

On the S-400 missile defense system and LR-SAM: "Our contract was for five systems and three have been delivered. There is a hindrance in delivery due to the Russia-Ukraine war and we are sure that in the next year, we will be getting the remaining systems. We are also using the Indigenous Project Kusha for indigenous long-range air defense systems.", says (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709123636588847557
Click to expand...
Can you post the image of the doc having the names M1, M2 and M3?
 
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Previous LRSAM/MRSAM designation is now switched to MRSAM only (though partner companies might sometimes still say LRSAM). This is the joint researched product, likely 70-100km range.

Current LRSAM project is possibly combined LRSAM and XRSAm which is Kusha project/programme. This is S400 standard, ie long range interception over 100km minimum (assuming our MRSAM is 100km). It includes LRSAM (IAC) which is IAC specific version, the missile with chonky booster with possibly 150km range. The other 2 further longer range missiles are ERSAM and XRSAM under the Kusha project.
 
marich01 said:
Previous LRSAM/MRSAM designation is now switched to MRSAM only (though partner companies might sometimes still say LRSAM). This is the joint researched product, likely 70-100km range.

Current LRSAM project is possibly combined LRSAM and XRSAm which is Kusha project/programme. This is S400 standard, ie long range interception over 100km minimum (assuming our MRSAM is 100km). It includes LRSAM (IAC) which is IAC specific version, the missile with chonky booster with possibly 150km range. The other 2 further longer range missiles are ERSAM and XRSAM under the Kusha project.
Click to expand...
Its really confusing, its clear to me that MRSAM indo israeli Barak 8.
But what is LRSAM, XRSAM & ERSAM and their respective range? All these three new missiles are anti aircraft missiles?
 
marich01 said:
Previous LRSAM/MRSAM designation is now switched to MRSAM only (though partner companies might sometimes still say LRSAM). This is the joint researched product, likely 70-100km range.

Current LRSAM project is possibly combined LRSAM and XRSAm which is Kusha project/programme. This is S400 standard, ie long range interception over 100km minimum (assuming our MRSAM is 100km). It includes LRSAM (IAC) which is IAC specific version, the missile with chonky booster with possibly 150km range. The other 2 further longer range missiles are ERSAM and XRSAM under the Kusha project.
Click to expand...

150, 250 and 350km. And if the missiles are based on Astra, then they are not S-400 equivalent.

If Astra, then we are very likely looking at Astra Mk2, one with booster and one without. Without booster, we get 150km. With booster, we get 250km slant range against fighter jets and 350km ballistic range against large aircraft.
 
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randomradio said:
If Astra, then we are very likely looking at Astra Mk2, one with booster and one without. Without booster, we get 150km. With booster, we get 250km slant range against fighter jets and 350km ballistic range against large aircraft.
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Zero chance of ground launched astra giving 150km !. Imagine a 200-250 kg missile giving that range.

Anything within that range has to be a new development. It can be based on AAD or MRSAM evolution since Israelis are involved.
 
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Hydra said:
Its really confusing, its clear to me that MRSAM indo israeli Barak 8.
But what is LRSAM, XRSAM & ERSAM and their respective range? All these three new missiles are anti aircraft missiles?
Click to expand...
Very simple, if one is re-assigned as a medium range system, obviously the others are much further range capable systems. The range etc part was in the report , as much speculated as it is.

randomradio said:
150, 250 and 350km. And if the missiles are based on Astra, then they are not S-400 equivalent.

If Astra, then we are very likely looking at Astra Mk2, one with booster and one without. Without booster, we get 150km. With booster, we get 250km slant range against fighter jets and 350km ballistic range against large aircraft.
Click to expand...

previous LRSAM/MRSAM itself was dual pulse , now they added a fat booster under it. Range and other spec are how the user would like it to be.
Lets see how this pan out when first test happens. Ground launched Astra is VL-SRSAM under project Astra. They call it SRSAM actually.

lrsam02.png
 
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So with news of Israelis involvement, my doubt regarding ERSAM is now clear. Looks like @Fatalis was correct as ERSAM would be MRSAM with booster(just like Barak-8 ER). I was hoping against hope that they would choose Akash-NG as the base missile.

But now the question remains regarding 250 and 350 kms missiles. AAD based or all new? That's the question🤔
 
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