About Pralay Missile:
- It is an indigenously developed short-range, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile.
- It has been developed by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, in collaboration with several DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.
- Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are among the industrial partners involved in its production and system integration.
- The missile is optimised to destroy command centres, air defence sites, logistics hubs, and airbases.
- Features:
- It is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor, allowing it to remain in a ready-to-launch state for extended periods.
- It can also be launched from mobile platforms, offering greater operational flexibility.
- It can carry multiple types of warheads against various targets. It has a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.
- It has an operational range of up to 500 kilometres.
- It reaches terminal speeds of Mach 6.1.
- It is equipped with guidance systems that provide a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters.
- Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, which generally follow a predictable trajectory, a quasi-ballistic missile can fly at a relatively lower altitude and manoeuvre during its flight.
- These mid-course and terminal-phase manoeuvres make it more challenging for enemy radar and missile defence systems to track and intercept.
Key Facts about Research Centre Imarat (RCI):
- It is a premier laboratory of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, a military missile research center of DRDO located in Hyderabad.
- It is spearheading research and development (R&D) in a wide range of Avionics Systems for diversified defence and aerospace applications.
- RCI is entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out R&D in the technologies of Control Engineering, Inertial Navigation, Imaging Infrared seekers, RF Seekers & Systems, Onboard Computers and Mission Software.
