BrahMos

#GS-03 Science and Technology

BrahMos:

The BrahMos missile is a two-stage missile with a solid-fuel booster engine.
Its first stage accelerates the missile to supersonic speeds before detaching itself.
In cruise phase, the liquid ramjet, or second stage, accelerates the missile to three times the speed of sound.
The missile has a low radar signature and may go in a number of directions, increasing its stealth capability.
BrahMos is the world’s fastest anti-ship cruise missile in operation.
It is capable of carrying a regular warhead as well as a nuclear warhead.
BrahMos was developed as a joint venture between India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
BrahMos Aerospace was jointly created by both organisation and is responsible for the development of BrahMos.
It is named after two major rivers of India and Russia viz, Brahmaputra and Moskva.

Stealth Technology.
Advanced guidance system.
High Target Accuracy (irrespective of weather conditions).
Constant supersonic speed.
Operates on ‘Fire and Forget’ Principle.
BrahMos is a multiplatform missile hence it can be launched from land, aircraft, ships, and even submarines.
It is one of the heaviest missiles, weighing up to 2.5 tonnes.
The range of BrahMos missile was initially capped at 290 km as per obligations of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
Since India joined MTCR on June 2016 the extended range variant has been under development.
The extended range (ER) variant of air-launched version of BrahMos was successfully test fired on 29^th December 2022.