Abdul Kalam Missile Complex scores a hat-trick of launches
The Hindu
SR-SAM, air version of Brahmos supersonic cruise missile and SANT missile launched this month
The A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, which houses the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) here, scored a hat-trick of sorts with three successful launches — vertical launch of Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SR-SAM), air version of Brahmos supersonic cruise missile and the Stand Off Anti-Tank (SANT) missile — this month.
The first two were test fired at Chandipur integrated test range off the coast of Odisha and the last one was flight tested from the Pokhran range in Rajasthan, all indigenously developed, with RCI and DRDL being the nodal labs, senior officials informed on Sunday and sought anonymity.
Scientists involved in the making of these sophisticated missile systems were elated at these ‘smooth’ launches, but coming in the backdrop of the tragic helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 other officers at Coonoor, it was a subdued affair.