Why in News?
The LRAShM made its highly anticipated public debut at the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2026, showcased by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at Kartavya Path.
Description:
About LRAShM:
- Developer & Role: Developed by DRDO primarily for the Indian Navy to counter high-value naval assets like warships and carrier strike groups.
- Technology: It is a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) that uses a two-stage solid-fuel rocket booster to reach the upper atmosphere before releasing a maneuverable glide vehicle.
- Maneuverability: Unlike ballistic missiles, it follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory with “skips” and unpowered glide maneuvers, making it difficult for traditional air defense systems to intercept.
Key Specifications:
- Range: Verified at approximately 1,500 km. Future variants are reportedly being planned with ranges up to 3,000–3,500 km.
- Speed: Reported peak speeds of Mach 10, with an average glide speed around Mach 5. It can reportedly strike a target at its full range within 15 minutes.
- Targeting: Equipped with an advanced RF seeker (X-band synthetic-aperture radar) designed to function at hypersonic speeds for hitting moving naval targets.
- Platforms: Configured for land-based truck-mounted launchers (Transporter Erector Launchers). A ship-launched version is also in development.
- Payload: Designed to carry various payloads, including conventional warheads; some reports suggest compatibility for strategic (nuclear) payloads, though this is not officially detailed.
- Materials: Uses specialized heat-resistant composite materials and thermal shielding to withstand temperatures exceeding 2,000°C during flight.
Operational Significance:
- Sea Denial: Enhances India’s maritime deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) by providing a “carrier killer” capability.
- Technological Leap: Its debut positions India among a select group of nations (including the US, Russia, and China) with operational hypersonic glide technology.
- Strategic Deterrence: Acts as a viable counter to advanced regional missile systems and area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities.
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