Flight Test from IAF’s Su-30MKI Fighter Aircraft

BRAHMOS on 22 November 2017 was successfully flight-tested first time from an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi 30MKI frontline fighter aircraft against a sea based target in the Bay of Bengal. The missile was gravity dropped from the Su-30 fuselage and the two stage missile’s engine fired up and straightway propelled towards the intended target at the sea in Bay of Bengal.

The successful maiden test firing of the BRAHMOS Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) from Su-30MKI will significantly bolster the IAF’s air combat operations capability from stand-off ranges. BRAHMOS ALCM, weighing 2.5t, is one of the heaviest weapons to be deployed on India’s Su-30 fighter aircraft modified by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). BRAHMOS is now capable of being launched from land, sea and air, completing the tactical cruise missile triad for India. Brahmos Aerospace is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia.

DPM