Technology

DRDO successfully tests Pinaka-ER multi-barrel rocket launcher system in Pokhran

India successfully tested a multi-barrel rocket launcher system with extended range at Pokharan range

December 11, 2021

India successfully tested multi barrel rocket launcher system with extended range at Pokharan range

Pinaka-ER multi-barrel rocket launcher system was successfully tested

The Defence Ministry said on Saturday that the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully carried out the tests of Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER), Area Denial Munitions (ADM), indigenously developed fuzes that have been carried out at various test ranges.

While the Pinaka MK-I rocket system has a range of around 40 km, the Pinaka II variant can hit targets at a distance of 60 km. The range of the Pinaka-ER is not known as of now.

The Defence Ministry said, “The DRDO, along with the Army, conducted a series of performance evaluation trials of these industry-produced rockets at a field firing ranges during the last three days. The Area Denial Munition (ADM) variants of the munition for Pinaka, produced under the technology transfer, were also tested successfully at Pokhran field firing ranges.”

It said 24 rockets were fired for different ranges and warhead capabilities.

“With this, the initial phase of technology absorption of Pinaka-ER by the industry partner has successfully been completed making the industry partner ready for series production of the rocket system,” the ministry confirmed.

The system is jointly designed by laboratories of DRDO – Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

The DRDO, after establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range Pinaka, transferred the technology of the system to the industry.

The Industry Partner has manufactured enhanced Pinaka Mk-1 rockets with DRDO’s hand holding during the production and Quality Assurance.

In continuation of the Transfer of Technology absorption, rockets developed by the industry have undergone the performance evaluation and quality certification process.

The hand holding during the production, quality assurance, and launch coordination for bulk production is being provided by the DRDO design team and quality assurance agencies nominated for the system.

The Pinaka-ER is the upgraded version of the earlier Pinaka version which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been designed in the light of emerging requirements with advanced technologies enhancing the range.

The Area Denial Munition (ADM) variants of munition designed by the ARDE, Pune for Pinaka, and manufactured by the industry partners under technology transfer were successfully carried out at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges. These trials are part of performance evaluation under technology absorption.

The indigenously-developed proximity fuzes for Pinaka rockets have also been tested. The ARDE, Pune has developed different fuzes for Pinaka rocket for different types of applications. After design validation trials, dynamic performance evaluation of these fuzes has been evaluated with flight testing. Consistency in the performance of fuzes has been established in consecutive flight trials.

These have been developed through dedicated indigenous Research and Development efforts for the first time in the country. These indigenously developed fuzes will replace the imported fuzes and save foreign exchange.

The ARDE has also designed miniaturized fuzes for ADMs. Performance of dual-purpose Direct-Action Self Destruction (DASD) and Anti-Tank Munition (ATM) fuzes were evaluated during the current flight trials and the results were satisfactory. All the mission objectives were successful in all the above trials.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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