Indigenous technology cruise missile

April 19, 2024

Recently, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM).

About Indigenous technology cruise missile:

  • It is equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and reliable performance.
  • It is developed by Bengaluru-based DRDO laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) along with contribution from other laboratories and Indian industries.
  • It was monitored by several range sensors like radar, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and telemetry deployed by ITR at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path.

What is a Cruise missile?

  • It is a guided missile used against terrestrial or naval targets, that remains in the atmosphere (unlike ballistic missiles) and flies the major portion of its flight path at an approximately constant speed, before hitting the target.
  • Precision: High, up to a few metres — fit for small, moving targets.
  • Trajectory: Low altitude, level trajectory — hard to detect
    • Subsonic Cruise missiles: These cruise missiles travel at less than Mach 1.
    • Supersonic Cruise missiles: Cruise missiles travelling at supersonic speeds are called supersonic cruise missiles.
    • Hypersonic Cruise missiles: Cruise missiles powered using scramjet engines to realise speeds greater than Mach 5 are designated as hypersonic cruise missiles.