Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR)

About Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR)

• It is the first indigenous air-launched anti-ship cruise missile developed for the Indian Navy. 
• It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It can be launched from attack helicopters.
• This missile will replace the Sea Eagle missiles, which are currently in use with the Navy.
• With the Sea King helicopters also being phased out, it is expected that the NASM-SR will be used with the new MH-60R multi-role helicopters, which are being inducted into the Navy.
• Features:
  • The missile’s new guidance system includes a state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.
  • It employs several new technologies, including an indigenously developed launcher for the helicopter.
  • With a strike range of around 60 km, the air-launched anti-ship missile can travel at a speed of Mach 0.8 (slower than the speed of sound).
  • It would have an imaging infrared seeker, which would home in on the heat emissions of its targets.
  • It can have a warhead of 100kg and is capable of sinking patrol boats and damaging larger warships. 
  • The NASM-SR, on approach to its target, can cruise at just 5metres above sea level, making it difficult for enemy radars to detect, track, and shoot down with surface-to-air missiles or guns. This low-level capability of anti-ship missiles is known as sea skimming.

Q1) What is a Sea Eagle missile?

The Sea Eagle is a mid-range all-weather airborne anti-ship missile designed to engage a wide range of surface targets. The missile was developed by BAE (British Aerospace Dynamics). 

Source: Indian Navy tests first indigenously developed ‘anti-ship missile’ | Watch