DRDO & IAF conduct successful flight-tests of RudraM-II Air-to-Surface Missile

Why in News?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted flight tests of the RudraM-II Air-to-Surface Missile from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The missile successfully hit a predefined target with pinpoint accuracy, meeting all mission objectives.

About RudraM-II

• RudraM-II is an indigenously developed Air-to-Surface Missile designed primarily for the suppression of enemy air-defence systems.
• It has been developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, as the nodal laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
• The missile was tested under extreme release conditions, validating the performance of all critical subsystems.
• Flight data was monitored and verified by instruments deployed at the Integrated Test Range.

What are Anti-Radiation Missiles (ARMs)?

• RudraM-II belongs to the class of Anti-Radiation Missiles (ARMs).
• These missiles are designed to detect, track and destroy enemy radar and electronic-emission systems.
• The term “radiation” here refers to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves emitted by radar systems for:
  • Surveillance
  • Target tracking
  • Missile guidance

How Do ARMs Work?

• ARMs use passive seekers that detect electromagnetic signals emitted by enemy radars.
• Once locked onto a radar emission, the missile follows the signal back to its source.
• It can strike:
  • Radar installations
  • Surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries
  • Air-defence systems
  • Command-and-control centres.

Sources: PIB & BS