RudraM Series Air-launched Missiles : Updates & Discussions

[Speedster1]

It makes little sense to bait a fighter jet for a sead mission when there are credible alternatives, I think IAF also have this view and hence NGARM is fit as TD to prove tech for the deliverables like R2 and R3. The short/medium range sead missions will be done via unmanned systems CATS variants, air launched LM variants there are plenty of scope.

Basically NGARM in its mission got multiple modes, you vary the engagement speed accordingly and the missile work in various ranges, 200km max when speed is low and 100-120km when quick engagement 2.2 mach speed. Hence its speed is variable at 0.8 mach to 2.2 mach for various range engagements.

First is target detection , you either detect the enemy radar asset via other means (drone/sat image/ground intel) or do it in a very risky direct probing mission on a jet. Either way you acquire the target and feed data to missile, release it , guide via datalink comm then let seeker do the job. Now do it over large range envelope 200km, you feed general area coordinates to missile, let it go slow and activate seeker in the target area for target acquisition, which is why NGARM can fetch out the target even if it has stopped emitting radiation, that ability is built in.

Other mission is a su30 baits the radar to radiate by probing which is very risky mission and chance of shot down. Once you detect and identify, need very quick engagement because target location is marked in the radar and need to kill it before it reacts to your presence so missile dashes at 2.2 mach high up and engage the target within short time, hence low 100-120km max engagement zone. if another offesive mission is on at the same time that missile will dodge this area if possible via early path planning.

IAF is likely to cut this 2nd short range engagement and use LM like harrop for such missions, instead of using a jet mission. This is practical choice. So if mission priority goes down, so would NGARM role and demand. Then your choice is whether use NGARM for a 200km engagement at slower speed or use R2 like store instead which is true standoff weapon. All while the upcoming LM variants like Sheshnag, NAL uav, Harrop etc are on incremental curve and offer more flexibility in terms of target detection , acquire and engagement all in 1 single package and in visual video feed means. This is how technology shape warfare i guess.

Despite having capable stand-off SIGINT platforms like the RC-135 and Global Hawk, the US continues to invest in the NGJ+Growler+ AARGM combo. That's because it provides integral EW protection to an inbound strike package + sniffs out hostile emitters+ takes them out. Imo, time of arrival is a problem for Harop/LM vs fast jets. A supersonic ARM is a far better option than re-directing LM/drones to hit time-critical, targets of opportunity.

 

[Rajput Lion]

@marich01

DRDO chief says that NGARM/RudraM-1 is going to get inducted within next 2 years @3:30 mark onwards:

So it's not TD as you earlier had said.

 

[marich01]

So it's not TD as you earlier had said.

MoD report claimed its TD project.

 

[CATS @hunter]

That is due to the AD grid, and in the reverse case IAF used harrop took out AD system inside Pak. So it proved the utility of this tool. Rest is up to the mission planner, if rightly used a proper utility tool can be used in meaningful way without having to rely on much high end asset.

But harpy is also a anti radiation loitering munitions, what the IAF did is used Banshee for the bait and used HARPY for SEAD/DEAD missions, we
Can clearly do that with sheshnag too, which comes with EO, and can work in GPS denied area's, but this will be useful against Pakistan, but won't likely work against China, where they have better radar's & AD systems,
The mass production of Rudram2 & 3 is way to go,
Where we can fire these missiles from every fighter jets,
Combine of Rudram2 & 3 and harpy, sheshnag and swift k, we can successfully achieve SEAD DEAD missions

 

[Rajput Lion]

MoD report claimed its TD project.

That's why I was surprised and said this:

 

[marich01]

That's why I was surprised and said this:

My point was more related to for a probing mode sead mission at ranges 200-250km radius where the fighter flies low working to lure out the hidden ad assets by being a bait itself, that role can now be done via various loitering ammo/unmanned system combination and can be very effective due to progress in tech, comm link and surveillance/ISR on a whole. So in that regard a jet carrying NGARM doing such a risky mission can now be replaced with unmanned option saving the pilot from the higher risk effectively.

Now if alternative is available for a specific weapon, similarly number for induction would also be lower and shared between multiple options. hence lower no of NGARM induction is possible.

But harpy is also a anti radiation loitering munitions, what the IAF did is used Banshee for the bait and used HARPY for SEAD/DEAD missions, we
Can clearly do that with sheshnag too, which comes with EO, and can work in GPS denied area's, but this will be useful against Pakistan, but won't likely work against China, where they have better radar's & AD systems,
The mass production of Rudram2 & 3 is way to go,
Where we can fire these missiles from every fighter jets,
Combine of Rudram2 & 3 and harpy, sheshnag and swift k, we can successfully achieve SEAD DEAD missions

How you plan a sead mission and with what asset is up to the mission commander.
In this case a harrop with additional associated asset can do job, in a different mission NGARM can. This is why it is better to procure variety of weapon systems. It gives very good many choices and options even if enemy develop counter for 1 or 2.