India is currently developing several advanced missile weapons. One of the most daring projects involves the creation of a cruise missile capable of carrying various warheads - conventional and nuclear. The missile, called Nirbhay, was tested several years ago, but has not yet entered service. Moreover, in the recent past, the possibility of project closure due to identified problems was not ruled out. In case of successful completion of the work, India will receive new weapons and reduce the lag behind its closest neighbors.
Fearless Project
According to known data, the development of a promising cruise missile Nirbhay ("Fearless") began in the 2000s and was part of a general plan for the development of its own defense industry. The design was carried out by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, part of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Some of the rocket units were ordered to other enterprises and organizations.
Nirbhay rocket in flight. Photo DRDO
According to the plans of the Indian command, the result of the Nirbhay project should be the appearance of a cruise missile capable of solving a wide range of combat missions. This product is proposed for use on ships, submarines and land platforms. It should carry different combat units with different functions and missions. The flight range is determined at 1000 km, which exceeds the characteristics of the cruise missiles available in India.
The Nirbhay project is based on solutions well-known and well mastered abroad. Indian industry had to master them in the course of development and preparation for production. This led to well-known difficulties, as well as to delaying the process of testing and fine-tuning the structure. So, the first test launch of a new rocket took place in the spring of 2013. Five more launches were carried out over the next six years. At the same time, the adoption of the rocket into service is still a matter of the future.
According to plans for 2012-13, testing of the Nirbhai product was to take one and a half or two years. Thus, by the middle of this decade, the army could receive new weapons. However, due to numerous difficulties, the work was delayed. Moreover, at some point the project was under threat. In early 2017, the Indian press, citing unnamed sources, indicated that the country's military-political leadership was considering the possibility of closing the project. The reasons for this are simple: the growth of the project cost and the lack of real results over the course of several years.
Then the program was extended. 18 months were added to the original work schedule to complete the necessary improvements. This term ended last summer. As part of the additional period, DRDO and ADE conducted one test launch. The next test took place a few months later - in April 2019. According to the developers, both recent launches have been successful.
Technical details
The promising Nirbhay cruise missile is similar in appearance to various samples of foreign development. First of all, it is compared with the American Tomahawk and some missiles of the Russian Caliber family. Apparently, Indian engineers spied on certain solutions and ideas from foreign colleagues.
Exhibition layout of the rocket. Photo Janes.com
The rocket of a new type is made in a cylindrical body with a hemispherical nose fairing. In the central part of the hull, there are planes that can be laid out in flight; in the tail there is an X-shaped stabilizer with rudders. The rocket layout is standard for such weapons. The head compartment is given for control and guidance, and also accommodates the warhead. The engine is located in the tail, and other volumes are given for fuel tanks.
Start and flight are carried out by two engines. Vertical lift is provided by a drop-out solid propellant motor. The propulsion system includes one engine. In the first version of the project, the tail of the hull was occupied by a turbofan engine of its own Indian design. In the future, it was abandoned, and the last prototype missiles are equipped with a simpler turbojet engine with different characteristics.
In the future, a new replacement of the power plant may take place. The Gas Turbine Research Establishment is currently working on the Manik turbofan engine project. This product is planned to be integrated into the Fearless project, as well as used in the creation of new unmanned aerial vehicles or cruise missiles. The timing of the appearance of the Manik product remains unclear.
The Nirbhay missile has combined controls and guidance. The autopilot interacts with inertial and satellite navigation systems. It is also suggested to use the radar with the function of the terrain view and comparison with the reference route map. In the target area, the locator is used as an active seeker, which will improve accuracy. The DRDO organization indicated that the presence of ARGSN and a significant flight range will give the rocket new capabilities. She will be able to loit in a given area, waiting for a target to appear, and then destroy it.
24 warheads for different purposes are compatible with the Nirbhai missile. It is proposed to use high-explosive and high-explosive fragmentation warheads, cluster warheads with different submunitions, etc. It is also possible to use a nuclear warhead with a capacity of up to 12 kt. A wide range of warheads should simplify the solution of various combat missions, including through the ability to quickly replace the combat load.
A rocket without a starting engine has a length of 6 m and a hull diameter of 520 mm. Wingspan in flight position - 2, 7 m. Product weight - 1500 kg; payload - up to 300 kg. The cruising speed in the main flight phase is no more than M = 0, 7. To break through the enemy's air defense, the Fearless can fly at altitudes from 50 to 4800 m. The flight range is not less than 1000 km. When creating a new engine with higher thrust and lower fuel consumption, this parameter can increase by one and a half times.
Missile complex "Nirbhai" in land performance. Photo Wikimedia Commons
The rocket is proposed to be used on different platforms. During the tests, a ground-based mobile launcher is used. A similar combat vehicle has already been shown to the public. The installation is mounted on a wheeled semi-trailer with the necessary equipment and provides the launch of four missiles. In the future, DRDO is going to create versions of the missile system for surface ships and submarines. In 2021, it is planned to start testing the aircraft modification of the "Fearless".
Ambiguous tests
In the development of the Nirbhay project, the Indian industry had to solve a wide range of difficult tasks for the first time and independently. In this regard, the design was delayed, and various shortcomings appeared during the tests.
The first test launch of a rocket from a ground-based installation took place on March 12, 2013 at the Chandipur test site and was considered partially successful. The rocket left the launcher, switched to a sustained mode and went to the target in the Bay of Bengal. Having covered about a third of the distance to the target, the rocket began to deviate from the required course. To avoid unforeseen consequences, I had to use a self-liquidator. The failure of the INS became the cause of the accident.
The next launch was scheduled for the spring of 2014, but was repeatedly postponed and took place only on October 17. In 70 minutes, the rocket passed the route with 15 turns and hit the training target at a distance of 1000 km. All systems worked normally.
A year later, a new launch took place, during which the capabilities of low-altitude flight were tested. After the launch, the rocket rose to its maximum height, and then dropped to 20 m above sea level. However, in the 12th minute of the flight, having covered 128 km out of 1000 assigned, the product fell into the water and collapsed. The accident was caused by the onboard equipment. At the same time, the rocket confirmed its ability to fly at low altitudes.
Second test rocket launch, October 17, 2014 Photo by DRDO
In December 2016, new tests took place, the results of which were not officially announced. According to Indian press sources, the fourth prototype Nirbhai missile successfully left the launcher and entered its trajectory. However, two minutes after the start, she deviated from the route and went beyond the safe zone, because of which she had to be eliminated. An unfinished autopilot was named as a possible culprit of the accident.
It was after the unsuccessful fourth launch that the project developers were given an additional 18 months to improve the rocket. On November 7, 2017, a modified rocket with a turbojet engine was taken for testing. The launch was carried out at a target at a distance of 650 km. The rocket was able to pass the specified route, find and hit the target.
On April 15, 2019, the sixth and last launch took place. The flight mission for the rocket provided for flight at different speeds at altitudes from 5 to 2500 m; the training target was at a distance of 600 km from the starting point. The assigned tasks were successfully completed.
Ambiguous prospects
The Nirbhay project is of particular importance to the Indian Armed Forces. At the same time, it is one of the most challenging in the history of the Indian defense industry. If it can be completed with the desired results - even if it is seriously behind schedule - there will be a reason to talk about almost a technological breakthrough.
The desired outcome of the current project is the creation of a new missile suitable for use with various carriers and capable of destroying targets at significant ranges. It will be the first cruise missile of its kind built by India on its own. Thus, the army will have new opportunities and, at the same time, a reason for pride in its industry.
At the moment, the Indian army has only one cruise missile for different carriers - the BrahMos product, developed jointly with Russia. The appearance of its own model with an expanded range of tasks and increased characteristics will in a known way affect the combat capabilities of the Navy, Air Force and ground forces. At the same time, the new weapon will be able to solve not only operational-tactical, but also strategic tasks. Cruise missiles with nuclear warheads will complement other delivery vehicles involved in the strategic deterrence of a potential adversary.
The first moments of flight, October 17, 2014 Photo by DRDO
Compatibility with surface, submarine and air platforms will provide tactical advantages. By transferring carriers and making the launch lines, it will be possible to increase the overall area of responsibility of the missiles. Thus, in theory, a new Indian missile in performance for the Navy can work in the coastal areas of all countries-potential adversaries, and the Air Force will ensure its launches at targets in the depths of the land.
For now, however, the new Indian project should not be overly optimistic. The history of the Nirbhai rocket clearly shows how difficult it is to master new technologies for the country and create promising weapons. DRDO and related enterprises were not able to develop the project on time, and tests are already underway for the seventh year - but the timing of the product's acceptance into service is still not entirely clear.
The statistics of the tests also give no reason for joy. Only three out of six launches ended in unequivocal success. In two more experimental missiles, they partially coped with the tasks. The main cause of the accidents was malfunctions in the guidance and control systems. It was these devices that could not cope with maintaining the desired course and flight altitude. At the same time, the propulsion system and the airframe performed well in all cases.
However, after four launches "Fearless" received a new engine with different characteristics. Perhaps for this reason, the range of the last two flights was about a third less than previously announced. In the future, there should be a new engine capable of achieving the established range of 1000-1500 km.
If we consider the Nirbhai missile in the context of the armies of the region, it turns out that India is in the position of catching up. Similar systems are already in service with a potential enemy. Thus, Pakistan uses Babur cruise missiles, which are similar in characteristics to the Indian Fearless. The Chinese army is armed with several cruise missiles with similar performance. Thus, India is in a difficult position, and the new project will at least reduce the gap with its neighbors.
Despite serious difficulties at all stages of work, the Indian military and designers continue to fine-tune the promising missile, and in the foreseeable future it may enter service. Obviously, in this case, the Nirbhay product will become the most important element of India's national defense, capable of influencing the policies and actions of competing states. However, for this it is necessary to complete the tests and take the rocket into service. The last two successful launches offer some hope, but they do not eliminate all pressing problems.
