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Contents
What is the News?
India has successfully test-fired a long-range Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo(SMART) from Wheeler Island in Odisha.
What is the SMART System?
Torpedoes, self-propelled weapons that travel underwater to hit a target, are limited by their range. To overcome that, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the SMART system.
This SMART system comprises a mechanism by which the torpedo is launched from a supersonic missile system with modifications that would take the torpedo to a far longer range than its own.
For example, a torpedo with a range of a few kilometres can be sent a distance to the tune of 1000 km by the missile system from where the torpedo is launched.
| Read more: DRDO & Indian Air Force successfully flight-test indigenous Stand-Off Anti-Tank Missile |
Features of SMART System
Firstly, it is a canister-based missile system. Canisterisation of missiles reduces the time required to launch the missile while improving its storage and mobility.
Secondly, it consists of advanced technologies viz. two-stage solid propulsion, electro-mechanical actuators and precision inertial navigation.
Significance of SMART System
This will enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo.
Moreover, this will promote self-reliance in defence, harnessing of expertise and capabilities.
Source: This post is based on the following articles
- “India successfully launches Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System” published in Business Standard on 14th December 2021.
- “Supersonic missile assisted torpedo system successfully launched from Wheeler Island in Odisha” published in PIB on 13th December 2021.
- “Supersonic missile-assisted torpedo system successfully launched: DRDO” published in The Hindu on 14th December 2021.
