BrahMos Missile system Quick Notes for Group Discussion

BrahMos

• This is the first supersonic cruise missile to enter service. It is capable of attaining a

speed of Mach 2.8 (almost three times the speed of sound), it has a range of at least

290 km (a new version can reach up to 400km)

• BrahMos is a ramjet supersonic cruise missile of a short-range developed by

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Russian

Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.

BrahMos was named after two major rivers of India and Russia: Brahmaputra and

Moskva.

• The technology used in this joint venture is based on the Russian P-800 Oniks cruise

missile and similar sea-skimming cruise missiles from Russia.

Technical Details of BrahMos

• BrahMos is a medium-range 2 stage missile. The propulsion of BrahMos can be

explained as follows:

• Stage 1

 Solid Propellant Booster Engine

 Is separated after it reaches MACH-1 or Supersonic speed

• Stage 2

 Liquid Ramjet Engine

 Takes the missile close to MACH 3 in cruise phase

Features of BrahMos

• Stealth Technology

• Advanced guidance system

• High Target Accuracy (irrespective of weather conditions)

• Constant supersonic speed

• Operates on ‘Fire and Forget’ Principle

• BrahMos can be launched from land, aircraft, ships, and even submarines.

• One of the heaviest missiles, weighing up to 2.5 tonnes.

Rakesh Garhwal