VL-SRSAM explained

The Vertical Launch – Short Range Surface to Air Missile, or VL-SRSAM is a quick reaction surface-to-air missile developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).^[5]

During mid-course flight, the missile uses fibre-optic gyroscope based inertial guidance mechanism while in terminal phase uses active radar homing. With lock on before launch (LOBL) and lock on after launch (LOAL) capability, the missile receives mid-course update via datalink. VL-SRSAM intended to replace older Barak 1 surface to air missile system onboard Indian Navy warships.^[6] It will also be used as short range air defence system for Indian Air Force.^[7]

Design

VL-SRSAM is based on Astra Mark 1 air-to-air missile with four short-span long-chord cruciform wings that provide aerodynamic stability. It also includes additional jet vane driven thrust vector control to enable quick reaction time on vertical launch and smokeless exhaust.^[8] VL-SRSAM conceived for area and point-defence role to save naval platforms. Each Vertical Launch System (VLS) can hold forty missiles in a twin quad-pack canister configuration carrying eight missiles each for hot launch that can be installed in an arrangement of multiple launch systems based on availability of space on the ship. The missile is for neutralizing various aerial threats at medium and close ranges, including fighter aircraft and sea skimming anti-ship missiles.^[9] With its 360° interception capability, as an integrated missile and weapon control system (WCS), it can identify and neutralize threats coming from all directions. Even though a short-range air defense missile was the original goal, the VL-SRSAM is a medium-range air defense system. Its attack range of 40 km has been increased to 80 km. The missile is said to be fitted in destroyers, frigates, corvettes and aircraft carriers.^{[10] [11]}

Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and some private sector industries were involved in the design and development of the missile system as part of Development cum Production Partner programme (DCPP).^{[6] [12]} VL-SRSAM superseded the cancelled Maitri missile project undertaken jointly by MBDA and DRDO based on the work done on MICA and Trishul.^[13] The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the National Aerospace Laboratories' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.^[14]

In 2024, DRDO developed an IAF-specific 8×2 truck-mounted variant. It has been developed for defending frontline airbases in conjunction with Akash system.^{[15] [16]}

Testing

• 22 February 2021: Maiden test firing of VL-SRSAM. DRDO successfully test fired two VL-SRSAM at Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The launch tested the efficacy of vertical launch system and missile's maximum and minimum range. Both the missile successfully intercepted their target with pin point accuracy.^[17]
• 7 December 2021: VL-SRSAM was successfully tested by DRDO from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The launch was conducted from a vertical launcher against an electronic target at a very low altitude. The launch was conducted to validate integrated operation of all weapon system components including the vertical launcher unit with controller, canisterised flight vehicle, weapon control system etc.^[18]
• 24 June 2022: DRDO announced that India has successfully test-fired the VL-SRSAM from an Indian Naval Ship Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The launch of the system was conducted against a high-speed aerial target mimicking aircraft, which was successfully engaged.^[19]
• 23 August 2022: DRDO and Indian Navy successfully flight tested VL-SRSAM from the ITR, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on. The flight test was carried out from an Indian Naval Ship against a high-speed unmanned aerial target for demonstration of vertical launch capability. The missiles, equipped with indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, intercepted the target with high accuracy.^[20]
• 2023: DRDO test fired VL-SRSAM from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur on an unknown date as per a press release.^[21]
• 12 September 2024: DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully carried out the VL-SRSAM user associate trial from ITR, Chandipur. The test was conducted against a low-altitude, high-speed aerial target from a land-based vertical launcher. The target was successfully tracked and engaged. The purpose of this test was to verify several improved components, including Seeker and Proximity Fuse.^{[22] [23]}
• 13 September 2024: The Indian Navy and DRDO conducted a successful follow-up VL-SRSAM user associate trial against a high-speed sea-skimming aerial target.^{[24] [25] [26]}

Operators

• • • Indian Navy INS Rana (D52)

See also

• • • • • • • (AAD)
• (PAD)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Aroor . Shiv . How India's ASTRA Air-To-Air Missile Is Quietly Killing It . Livefist Defence . 30 August 2020.
2. Web site: 22 December 2023 . Ministry Of Defence - Year end review 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231222134700/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1989502 . 22 December 2023 . 2023-12-22 . pib.gov.in.
3. News: Bhardwaj . Tarun . Deadly weapon! IAF successfully test-fires air-to-air missile Astra from Sukhoi-30 combat aircrafts [sic]]. 30 August 2020 . Financial Express . 17 September 2019.
4. Web site: 2022-06-25 . VL-SRSAM missile system successfully test-fired . 2022-06-27 . The Indian Express.
5. News: Rout . Hemant K . Maiden test of Vertically Launched SRSAM from ITR off Odisha coast likely today . 22 February 2021 . The New Indian Express . The New Indian Express.
6. Web site: DRDO conducts first launch of the VL-SRSAM. 2021-02-22. The Week. en.
7. Web site: PTI. Feb 22, 2021. DRDO successfully launches VL-SRSAM twice India News - Times of India. 2021-02-22. The Times of India. en.
8. Web site: Kulkarni. Sushant. 2021-12-11. Explained: What is the vertical launch surface to air missile that India has successfully test-fired?. 2021-12-11. The Indian Express. en.
9. Web site: Navy's Surface-To-Air Missile Test-Fired, Can Hit Sea-Skimming Targets. 2021-02-23. NDTV.com.
10. Web site: 2021-02-22. DRDO successfully launches Surface to Air Missile capable of neutralising aerial threats. 2021-02-23. Zee News. en.
11. Web site: Rout . Hemant Kumar . 22 February 2021 . Maiden test of Vertically Launched SRSAM from ITR off Odisha coast likely today . 2021-02-22 . The New Indian Express.
12. Web site: 6 April 2021. DRDO opens up missile production partnership for Indian private sector. 2021-04-06. The Times of India. en.
13. Web site: Rout. Hemant Kumar. 23 February 2021. DRDO conducts successful flight test of VL-SRSAM. 2021-02-23. The New Indian Express.
14. Web site: 2022-06-06 . Bengaluru: 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel at National Aerospace Laboratories completes 55 years of service . 2024-11-22 . ANI . en.
15. Web site: Bhatia . Aditi . 2024-09-03 . DRDO’s VL-SRSAM System Set to Enhance IAF’s Air Defense Capabilities . 2024-09-05 . PUNE.NEWS . en.
16. Web site: 2024-09-04 . How DRDO's 8×2 Truck-Mounted System for VL-SRSAM will Boost IAF's Defence Against Low Altitude Aerial Threats . 2024-09-05 . Defence.in . en-US.
17. Successful Launches of VL-SRSAM Missile System. PIB. 22 February 2021.
18. Successful Flight Test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile. PIB. 7 December 2021.
19. India successfully test-fires VL-SRSAM from Indian Naval Ship off Odisha coast: DRDO. Times Now. 24 June 2022.
20. Web site: DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight-test Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile off Odisha coast . 2022-08-23 . pib.gov.in.
21. News: 22 December 2023 . MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - YEAR END REVIEW 2023 . Press Information Bureau . 24 December 2023.
22. News: 12 September 2024 . DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight test Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile off Odisha coast . 12 September 2024 . . Ministry of Defence.
23. Web site: Rout . Hemant Kumar . 2024-09-12 . India successfully test-fires short-range surface-to-air missile for Navy . 2024-09-12 . The New Indian Express . en.
24. News: 13 September 2024 . DRDO & Indian Navy achieve back-to-back success with 2nd consecutive flight test of VLSRSAM off Odisha coast . 13 September 2024 . . Ministry of Defence.
25. Web site: Bharatshakti . Team . 2024-09-13 . DRDO’s VLSRSAM Project Achieves Second Consecutive Flight Test Success . 2024-09-13 . Bharat Shakti . en-US.
26. 1834509978356351436 . DRDO_India . DRDO & Indian Navy scores back-to-back Successfully Flight Tests of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM) on 12 & 13th Sep 2024... . 2024-09-13 . 2024-09-13.