Akash Weapon System

Why is in news? DRDO hands over Authority Holding Sealed Particulars of Akash Weapon System

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) of Akash Weapon System (Indian Army Version) to Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency (MSQAA) in Hyderabad on December 03, 2022.

The handing over was held at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) which, as a nodal agency, has designed and developed the Akash weapon system.

The Technical Specification & Quality Document and the drawing of complete weapon system elements were sealed and handed over by Project Akash to MSQAA as part of AHSP transfer.

Akash Weapon System:

Akash is the first state-of-the-art indigenous surface-to-air missile system which has been with Armed Forces for nearly a decade defending the Indian skies and providing national security.

It is inducted by Indian Army and Indian Air Force with order value worth Rs 30,000 crore, which is one of the largest single system orders for indigenous missile system.

AKASH is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile System to protect vulnerable areas and points from air attacks.

It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

Akash Weapon System (AWS) can simultaneously engage Multiple Targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode.

It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features.

The entire weapon system has been configured on mobile platforms.

Features:

Range of Operation:4.5 km to 25 km

Altitude of Operation:100 m up to 20 km

Length:5870 mm

Diameter:350 mm

Weight:710 kg

Guidance System:Command Guidance

Target types: Helicopters, Fighter aircrafts, UAVs etc.

Fully automatic with quick response time from target detection to kill.

Open system architecture ensures adaptability to existing and futuristic Air Defence environments.

High immunity against active and passive jamming.

Secured mode of communication between combat elements.

Self-sufficient in electrical power with in-built power sources.

Road and rail transportable with quick mobilization and deployment capabilities.

In-built safety features with IFF.