Russian-Indian Joint Venture BrahMos Extends Range of Supersonic Cruise Missile

Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMos has developed supersonic cruise missile which can be used in highlands, said the company’s president Sivathanu Pillai at the MAKS-2011 show, reports ITAR-TASS.

According to Sivathanu Pillai, new missile is capable to fly following terrain. “Having passed the top of a mountain, the missile dives down at supersonic speed. We are the first who made such missile, and tests were quite effective”, pointed out Mr. Pillai.

The tests were held in mountains and desert. Minimal flight altitude of the new supersonic missile is 10 meters which significantly complexifies its interception. Answering the question how many BrahMos missiles have been already commissioned into Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, Sivathanu Pillai said: “Hundreds”.

Based on Russian-designed missile Yakhont, supersonic missile BrahMos is capable to fly 2.5-2.8 times faster than the sound speed. Apart from high speed, the missile’s advantage is its versatility. For instance, BrahMos can be based at sea, submarine, air, and coastal platforms. First test launch of the missile was performed in 2001.
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Source: rusnavy, August 18, 2011;