Enhanced Pinaka Mk-1-Missile System

Context

  • Recently, an enhanced Pinaka Mk-1-Missile was successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
  • According to an official of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). the development of the Guided version of Pinaka, with almost double the original range, is nearing completion. enhanced Pinaka Mk-1-missile

About Pinaka

  • An alternative the multi-barrel rocket launching systems of Russian make, called the ‘Grad’ and ‘Smerch’, which are still in use. After successful tests of Pinaka Mark-1 in the late 1990s, it was successfully used during the 1999 Kargil war.
  • The Pinaka, which is primarily a multi-barrel rocket system (MBRL) system, can fire a salvo of 12 rockets over a period of 44 seconds.
  • One battery of Pinaka system consists of six launch vehicles, accompanied by the loader system, radar and links with network-based systems, and a command post.
  • One battery can neutralise an area of one km by one km.

Pinaka I & II

  • Pinaka Mk-1, which has a range of 38 km, the DRDO has also developed an enhanced version of Mark-1, which has a range of 45 km.
  • DRDO has also developed and successfully tested Mk-II and the guided variants of the Pinaka, which has a range of around 60 km, while the Guided Pinaka system has a range of 75 km and has integrated navigation, control and guidance system to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range.
  • The navigation system of Guided Pinaka missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
  • Pinaka Mk-1, which has a range of 38 Km.

Uses of Pinaka

  • In the conventional battle space, long-range artillery systems like Pinaka are used for attacking adversary targets prior to close-quarter battles, which involve smaller-range artillery, armoured elements and the infantry.
  • In the future, the Pinaka Mk-1, enhanced Mk-1 and the Guided Pinaka will coexist in the Army’s inventory, in the proportion that the Army wants.
  • Pinaka will continue as a weapon that can destroy an area and the guided version will add an edge to it when a specific target has to be hit.

Source: Indian Express

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