Kalam's unrealised 'Nag' missile dream to become reality next year

Kalam's unrealised 'Nag' missile dream to become reality next year

   One unrealized dream of 'Missile man' A P J Abdul Kalam who died on July 27, will become a reality next year.

    Production of the anti-tank missile 'Nag', a 'fire and forget' missile developed to hit and destroy   stationery or moving battle tanks will begin next year. Defense advisor to Raksha Mantri, G Satheesh Reddy told TOI that while the other missiles planned as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) had become a reality, in so far as 'Nag' was concerned there had been some limitations related to technology. Those have now become overcome. "The 'Nag' missile will be go for production next year," Satheesh Reddy said. The other missiles 'Prithvi', 'Dhanush', the five versions of 'Agni', 'Akash' and 'Astra' as part of the IGMDP have already been developed.

    The 'Nag' missile developed by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which Abdul Kalam headed, will move like a 'cobra' to hit battle tanks in a range of 4 km to 7 km distance.

    "Everything that Kalam planned has become a reality. He was someone who had both technical and managerial skills to pursue plans," Satheesh Reddy who worked under Kalam when he joined the DRDL in 1986 said. Satheesh Reddy who was noticed by Kalam for the work he was putting in associated himself with Reddy who worked on navigation technology.

    If India has several missiles and variants of them, it was also due to the efforts of Kalam. "He brought about integration between various groups which were working independently towards their set goals. The integrated reaped dividends," he said.

   If India is now in a strong position because of the its missiles, especially the 6,000-km range intercontinental ballistic missile, it was also due to Kalam's 'big thinking'.

     "Think big. It is a sin to think small," Kalam would tell colleagues in the DRDL and DRDO. And if anyone amongst his colleagues would keep silent during a discussion, he would prod him or her to speak and contribute. Even if he had already taken a decision on some matters, he would still keep his mind open to ideas.

     Kalam's nature was always to protect his colleagues and take the blame from his superiors if something went wrong, Satheesh Reddy recalled.

Article written by Ch Sushil Rao,Published in Times of India

IAF once again Plans to Buy the Derby and Python 5 Missiles

IAF once again Plans to Buy the Derby and Python 5 Missiles 

Teajs shown with Derby and Spyder

      The Indian Airforce wants to add more Python and Derby Missiles into it's godown. where IAF previously once buy some undisclosed number of those missiles for the Light Combat Aircraft the Tejas. Recently Flight Global Confirmed Indian interests of buying more deadly Israeli made Air to Air Missiles which is more advanced for Dog Fighting and Air superiority. Previously the Indian Air Force Buys a Spin off Ground based SAM version of SpyDer. which is the same  Python and Derby missile launched from ground based platform. The IAF later bought some 750+750 Python 5 and Derby missiles to equip with the Spyder System.

Israeli F16 with Derby and Python 4

      The Derby is working under the Principles of BVR (Beyond Visual Range). which means the missile can capture the Target with imaginary devices and lock it the Target then calculate the path to destroy the Target. the Derby can operated in both day and Night operations and it suits well for WVR           ( within Visual Range ) engagements. which is best for the Known Dog fight where the Fighters can fight in the mid air showing their aggressive mode to defeat another one.  The Derby has the Look Down/Shoot down capability which means the Fighters mission computer check the Target's weak zone and feed it to the Missile then the missile ready to hunt the Target and hit the weak zone to achieve  total distruction  of the Target. the missile also complies the Fire and Forget mode which means once you launched the Missile you don't need to guide or update the missile from your cockpit. The missile alone do it and perform it's mission. the main ECCM ( Electronic Counter Counter Measure's) all the fighters equipped with Electronic countermeasure to confuse the inbound missile they fire it's flare to confuse the Missile as Fighter or heat source. most previous generation missiles fails to hit the target due to the ECCM. but nowadays most of the missiles equiped with ECCM which can evade the flares and target the correct enemy. 

      Another good thing in the missile is the LOAL/LOBL modes. the LOAL ( Lock on after launch)  modes allows the fighter to launch the missile before locking the Enemy fighter. where enemy can maneuver too much where friendlies can't do the same. so if you launch the Derby before locking the enemy fighter it can lock and shoot it down. in LOAL mode you should not let your wingman closer to the missile. LOAL is best for solo play.  LOBL (Lock on Before Launch) which can lock the target using the fighters mission computer then feed it into the Missile then Launch which gives good results compared to the LOAL mode.  Derby can engage Target at the distance of some 40 kilometers but the range can be further decreased by varying the Altitude. 

SAM version of Python and Derby

       The Python is the heat seeking missile which can track the target using the heat signatures.  the Python 5 is the newest in the Python family. it's also incorporates plenty of derby's Characteristics. the python too perform the LOAL missions. the Python 5 doesnt't have ECCM  feature but it will be more deadlier if it's launched in visual range targets. the main advantage of the python is all aspect launch. that means it can enage the target in your 6'o clock targets too by picking up heat signatures of enemy aircraft. the Python is also best choice for dog fighting. if your enemy turned his engine ON mode. then it should be a last day of your enemy's aircraft even he is in your behind but if he cruise behind you that's all the Python picks your engine as a Target. that's all game over. 

F 16 Loaded with Python Missile