Why in the News?

The DRDO has successfully tested the Vertically- Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) for the Indian Navy.

About VLSRSAM

The VLSRSAM is a ship-borne surface-to-air missile designed to counter various aerial threats, particularly at short ranges.
The missile is intended for neutralizing airborne threats at close ranges, including aircraft, helicopters, drones, and other incoming missiles, which are critical for naval defence operations.
The VLSRSAM weighs around 170 kg and is powered by a solid propellant.
The missile can reach a maximum speed of Mach 4.5.
The missile can reach altitudes of 16 km and has a range sufficient to engage high-speed targets.
Guidance System:
- Mid-course phase: The missile uses a fibre-optic gyroscope-based inertial guidance system, ensuring stable flight towards the target.
- Terminal phase: It switches to active radar homing for precise target acquisition and guidance, ensuring that it can engage targets with high accuracy even at low altitudes.

With advanced guidance systems, the VLSRSAM demonstrates agility and precision in targeting, ensuring it is highly effective even against fast-moving, low-flying aerial threats.
The missile has been tested for reliability and accuracy, successfully engaging targets at close range and low altitudes.
It is seen as a force multiplier for the Indian Navy, significantly enhancing its air defence capabilities, particularly in protecting high-value assets in the maritime domain.

[UPSC 2018] What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news ?

(a) An Israeli radar system

(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme

(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea