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In Full Swing
IAF orders extended-range Barak-2 for nine air defence squadrons
By Prasun K. Sengupta
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It is all systems go when it comes to the joint development of the 70km-range variant of the Mach 4 Barak-2 vertically-launched long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM), now being co-developed by a consortium of entities comprising India’s Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) on one hand, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. The LR-SAM’s critical design review was completed by early May and its two-stage pulsed rocket motor was successfully test-fired earlier this year. The first six sets of these rocket motors were late last month shipped to RAFAEL for further test and integration activities, which will, by early 2009, lead to the commencement of a series of test-flights of the LR-SAM. Series production is due to begin in 2011 at BDL’s Hyderabad-based facilities, with the launch customer of this LR-SAM being the Indian Navy (IN). Current plans call for the IN to install 64 of these LR-SAMs on board each of its three Project 15A Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyers (DDG) now being fitted out at Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Ltd, as well as on board each of its three planned Project 17A guided-missile frigates and the three projected Project 15B DDGs. The vertical launch cells for Barak-2 are now being developed by Mumbai-based Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
The Barak-2 LR-SAM, also known as Barak-8 within Israel, will make use of a novel nose-mounted dual guidance system: an active phased-array radar for guidance over the final 30km terminal phase of its flight; and a miniaturised, gimbal-mounted imaging infra-red seeker using an indium antimonide staring focal plane array operating in the 3 to 5 micron wavelength band. During the initial fly-out phase of flight, the Barak-2/LR-SAM’s seeker window will remain covered with a two-piece clamshell protection shroud. Metal bladders installed in the shroud will be inflated to eject the protective shroud before the combined seekers initiate target acquisition. During its boost- and mid-course guidance phases, the LR-SAM will use an integral data link to receive guidance cues from the shipborne EL/M-2248 MF-STAR S-band solid-state active phased-array radar developed by the ELTA Systems subsidiary of IAI. The Barak-2 will also have a 60kg pre-fragmented warhead that in turn will use a laser-based digital proximity fuze.
The Rs 26.06 billion (USD 566 million) deal to co-develop the Barak-2 was inked in New Delhi on 27 January 2006 following 17 months of exhaustive negotiations. For extended long-range air defence India’s Cabinet Committee on National Security on July 12 last year approved a USD 2.47 billion project to co-develop along with Israel a new-generation, 120km-range variant of the Barak-2 over the next four years. Launch customer of this LR-SAM will be the Indian Air Force (IAF), with the IN opting for this missile for installation on board its first Integrated Aircraft Carrier that is now being fabricated at Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The IAF has already committed itself to procuring an initial batch of the extended-range Barak-2 for nine air defence squadrons. From the Indian side, the principal R&D players for this variant of the Barak-2 are the DRDL, Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), and the Bangalore-based Electronics R&D Establishment (LRDE).
Israeli companies participating in the joint venture are RAFAEL and the MLM and ELTA Systems business divisions of IAI. While RAFAEL will be responsible for developing the guided-missiles along with the DRDL and ASL, IAI will co-develop along with the LRDE and BEL the command-and-control system and related fire-control system (for both variants of the Barak-2) centered around the 250km-range EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar. Weighing about seven tonnes, the MF-STAR uses four flat, lightweight antenna arrays. For weapons guidance, the MF-STAR supports different operating modes, including mid-course guidance for active air defence missiles and illumination enslavement for semi-active air defence missiles, thus making dedicated guidance radar systems redundant. The radar also incorporates an automatic splash detection and measurement mode to support naval gunnery in maritime security and close-in defence roles.
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