BRAHMOS MISSILE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Indian naval warships will be able to strike enemy targets at a greater distance with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) giving its approval for procurement of next-generation BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles

• About: A joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India (DRDO) and the NPOM of Russia.

oBrahMos is named for the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva (Russia).

• Range: 290 km 
• Fastest cruise missile in the world: A top speed of Mach 2.8 (nearly three times the speed of sound).
• Two-stage missile system: Solid propellant engine in the first stage and liquid ramjet in second.
• Multiplatform missile: Can be launched from land, air, and sea and multi capability missile with pinpoint accuracy that works in both day and night irrespective of the weather conditions.
• Operates on the "Fire and Forgets" principle: It does not require further guidance after launch.