What is Varunastra?

About Varunastra:

• It is ship launched, heavy weight, electrically-propelled anti-submarine torpedo capable of targeting quiet submarines, both in deep and shallow waters in an intense countermeasures environment. 
• It was designed and developed by Vizag-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
• Varunastra can be fired from all Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships capable of firing heavy weight torpedoes.
• Features:
  • It has a length of 7.78 meters (25.5 feet) and a diameter of 533.4 mm (21.00 in).
  • It is capable of being launched from surface ships and submarines.
  • It can achieve speeds in excess of 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) and has a range of 40 km (25 mi). 
  • Weighing around 1.5 tonnes, it can carry a 250 kg (550 lb) high-explosive warhead and has a maximum operating depth of 600 metres (2,000 ft).It has long range with multi maneuvering capabilities.
  • The torpedo’s guidance system uses active-passive acoustic homing, wire guidance, and GPS/NavIC satellite guidance.
  • It has conformal array transducers that allow it to look at wider angles than most common torpedoes.
  • It also has an advanced autonomous guidance algorithm with low drift navigational aids, an insensitive warhead that can operate in various combat scenarios, and a GPS-based locating aid.

Q1) What is a Torpedo?

A torpedo is essentially a guided missile that happens to “fly” underwater. A torpedo therefore has a propulsion system, a guidance system and some sort of explosive device.

Source: Indigenous heavy weight torpedo hits bull’s eye in live test by Indian Navy

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