IAF test-fires Brahmos from Sukhoi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 22

The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully fired the BrahMos air version missile from its frontline Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft today. The launch from the aircraft was smooth and the missile followed the desired trajectory before directly hitting the land target, the IAF said.

The target was a remote island in the Bay of Bengal, sources said. The Brahmos can hit targets on the ground from sea, air and ground.

The air-launched BrahMos is a 2.5 tonne supersonic air-to-surface cruise missile with range of around 300 km.

In November 2017, the IAF became the first air force in the world to have successfully fired an air-launched 2.8 Mach speed surface-attack missile of this category on a sea target.

Today was the second such live launch of the weapon. The integration of the weapon on the aircraft was a very complex process, involving mechanical, electrical and software modifications.

The software development was undertaken by IAF engineers while HAL carried out mechanical and electrical modifications on the aircraft. Dedicated efforts of the IAF, DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have proven the capability of the nation to undertake such complex integrations, the IAF said.

The BrahMos provides IAF a much desired capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target at sea or on land with pinpoint accuracy by day or night and in all weather conditions. The capability of the missile, coupled with the superlative performance of the Su-30MKI aircraft, gives the IAF the desired strategic reach, according to the IAF.

First woman qualifies for operations

New Delhi: Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth has become the first woman fighter pilot to qualify for operations. Though inducted with two other women, she has, after completion of flying training, become the first women fighter pilot to be qualified to undertake missions by day on a fighter aircraft. Bhawana joined the fighter squadron in November 2017 and flew the first solo on MiG-21 Bison in March 2018. She is at present based at a forward location in Rajasthan. TNS