CHANDIPUR, October 19 — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully conducted a guided flight trial of the indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile - Short Range (NASM-SR) from a naval helicopter off the Odisha coast on Monday.
Fired from an operational naval helicopter testbed at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), the weapon performed pitch-over manoeuvres and descended to ultra-low sea-skimming altitude, locking onto a designated floating vessel target via an indigenous Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker. Powered by an advanced two-stage solid rocket motor with integrated thrust-vectoring, the 55-kilometre-range missile delivers lethal point-detonation against missile boats and offshore patrol vessels.
Naval weapon specialists noted that the successful flight validation clears the missile for operational carriage on frontline Indian Navy MH-60R Seahawk and Sea King helicopter squadrons, significantly enhancing standoff littoral strike and coastal denial envelopes without risking aircraft.
The evolution of naval missile programs within DRDO's research clusters (DRDL, RCI, and TBRL), distinctions between radar-homing and imaging infrared seekers, maritime doctrine under Indian Navy's Joint Doctrine Indian Armed Forces 2017, and Make in India defence targets represent core topics for UPSC GS-III and CDS exams.