Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) Missile

DRDO conducted two successful test flight of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile recently from a ground based portable launcher at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.

What Is A Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)?

• A group of MANPAD & anti-aircraft weapons and techniques called Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles are used to defend against low-altitude air threats, notably helicopters and low-flying aircraft.
• It is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and developed indigenously by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners.
• The last line of defence for soldiers against hostile combat helicopters and aircraft is VSHORADS.
• Medium to Low Air Defense divides the battlespace into domes of responsibility for air defence based on altitude and defensive weapon ranges.
  
  
  

Key Features of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS):

• VSHORADS features a number of cutting-edge technologies, including an integrated avionics system and a miniaturised Reaction Control System.
• Numerous unique technologies, including integrated avionics and a miniaturised Reaction Control System (RCS), have been successfully tested and are included in the VSHORADS missile.
• The missile is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor and is designed to eliminate low altitude aerial threats at close ranges.
• The missile’s design, including the launcher, has undergone extensive optimization to ensure portability. The mission objectives have been fully satisfied by both flight tests.
• VSHORAD is the soldier’s last line of defence against enemy combat aircraft and helicopters in the multi-layered air defence network.
• These Very Short Range Air Defence Missiles are seen to be absolutely essential for the defence of any significant city or any important strategic area.
• The Air Defense Guns L-70 and ZU-23 in the Indian Army’s current stock are more than 40 years old and hence completely out of date.