DRDO conducts maiden flight-tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday successfully conducted the maiden flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha at around 12.30 p.m.
The IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system that comprises indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). The integrated operation of all weapon system components is controlled by a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), the nodal agency for the programme. The VSHORADS was developed by the Research Centre Imarat, while the DEW was developed by the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences.
During the flight-tests, three different aerial targets—including two high-speed fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and a multi-copter drone—were simultaneously engaged and destroyed by the QRSAM, VSHORADS and the high-energy laser weapon system at varying ranges and altitudes. All weapon system components, including the missile systems, drone detection and neutralisation mechanisms, command and control architecture, communications, and radar elements, performed as designed. Their performance was confirmed by range instruments deployed at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, which captured the flight data.
The tests were witnessed by senior DRDO scientists as well as representatives from the Armed Forces.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Armed Forces and industry partners on the achievement. He said the successful demonstration had firmly established the country’s multi-layered air defence capability and would significantly strengthen area defence of vital installations against hostile aerial threats.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat also commended the teams involved in the project and lauded their contribution to the successful outcome of the tests.