About Akash Missile System:
- It is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
- It is designed to protect vulnerable areas, points and assets from a range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and helicopters.
- It was indigenously designed and developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is produced by Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL).
- It was developed under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
- The programme also involved the development of the Nag, Agni, and Trishul missiles, as well as the Prithvi ballistic missile.
- It is currently in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.
- Akash is distinguished from adjacent systems within India's tiered air-defence grid.
- It occupies the medium-range layer, below the long-range S-400 Triumf acquired from Russia and the indigenous-Israeli Barak-8/MR-SAM, and above short-range systems such as the quick-reaction surface-to-air missiles (QRSAM) and the man-portable point-defence weapons.
- Features:
- The system features a launcher, a missile, a control centre, an integral mission guidance system, a multifunctional fire control radar, a system arming and explosion mechanism, a digital autopilot, C4I (command, control, communication, and intelligence) centres, and supporting ground equipment.
- It features a solid-fuel, ramjet propulsion system, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2.5 to 3.5 (up to 4,200 km/h).
- It covers a range of 5 km to 25 km and can engage aerial threats flying between 100 meters and 20 kilometers in altitude.
- It can simultaneously engage multiple targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode.
- Its sophisticated Rajendra radar can track numerous targets and guide multiple missiles concurrently.
- It is fully automatic, features built-in electronic counter measures, and is mobile across different terrains.
- Variants:
- Akash-1S: Incorporates an indigenous radio-frequency (RF) seeker for improved terminal accuracy, moving away from pure command guidance.
- Akash Prime: Upgraded RF seeker and optimised for high-altitude, low-temperature operation, addressing performance gaps observed in mountainous theatres.
- Akash-NG (New Generation): Introduces an active electronically scanned array (AESA) multifunction radar, an active RF seeker, a canisterised launcher, and extended range.
