Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed the Flight Tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System on Thursday as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) Validation Trials. The flight tests were conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges.
How Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System works
According to the Defence Ministry report, Guided Pinaka Weapon System strikes multiple target engagement in a salvo mode by rocket. Caliber rockets can be launched from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL). The Pinaka Weapon System, which is a long-range artillery system, is capable of striking targets up to 75 km. During these tests, the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) parameters, viz., ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode have been assessed by extensive testing of rockets, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
What is Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System?
The precision strike variant for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System is a totally indigenous weapon system designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Proof & Experimental Establishment with Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited as production agencies for ammunition and Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro for Pinaka launcher and Battery Command Post.
"Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the flight-tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials," it said.
The flight-tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges. "Twelve rockets from each production agency from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies have been tested," the statement said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful PSQR validation trials of the system and stated that the induction of this Guided Pinaka Weapon System will further boost the artillery fire power of the Armed Forces, it said.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Samir V Kamat, also congratulated the teams associated with the trials and said the rocket system has "completed all pre-requisite flight trials before induction into the Indian Army".
(With PTI inputs)
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