STAR Missile

STAR Missile Latest News

STAR ends India’s dependence on expensive imported target systems for missile training.

About STAR Missile

• The Supersonic TARget (STAR) missile is an indigenous, high-speed missile designed to simulate realistic threats for training India’s armed forces.
• It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Unlike combat missiles, STAR doesn’t aim to destroy enemy targets—instead, it mimics the enemy, helping our forces practice interception in real-time.
• The STAR missile is engineered to simulate the behavior of modern supersonic anti-ship missiles and cruise missiles.
• To serve different combat needs, DRDO is developing STAR in two variants: 
  • Air-Launched STAR: Carried by fighters like the LCA Tejas, it simulates air-to-air and air-to-ground strikes, including Anti-Radiation and Anti-AWACS roles. 
  • Ground-Launched STAR: Truck-mounted and mobile, this version can be deployed from shorelines or remote zones without expensive infrastructure, making it highly versatile for Navy and Army drills. 

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STAR Missile Features

• At the heart of STAR is a two-stage propulsion system: 
  • Solid booster rocket for quick lift-off 
  • Liquid Fuel Ramjet (LFRJ) for sustained supersonic flight 
• Max Speed: Mach 1.8 – 2.5.
• It operates across a wide altitude range from 100 meters to 10 kilometers, with an operational range of 55 to 175 kilometers. 
• With flight times spanning 50 to 200 seconds, it can simulate various attack scenarios, flying as low as 12 feet above water to mimic modern sea-skimming missiles or plunging from over 30,000 feet to replicate high-altitude attacks.
• High Manoeuvrability: Simulates zig-zag, evasive enemy movement.
• Tracking by Defence Systems: Test radar, missile interception, and tracking systems.
• Safe Recovery or Detonation: Depending on mission type.

Source: BT