India successfully test fires the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world

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India successfully test fires the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world

  • BrahMos missile successfully tested its ‘life extension’ technology this morning.
  • It’s the first missile in the India’s war chest to have its life extended.
  • BrahMos also happens to be the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
Today, India successfully tested the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a test range in Odisha, a state along India’s eastern coast. Fired from launchpad 3 of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur located near Balasore in Odisha, the trial was conducted with the intention of validating the missile’s ‘life extension’ technologies.
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The missile’s successful life extension test makes BrahMos the first weapon in India’s arsenal that got its life extended from 10 years to 15 years. It managed to take off successfully and hit the designated target while meeting all parameters of the mission.

What makes the BrahMos special is the fact that it’s the only supersonic cruise missile with advanced capabilities to allow the user to make a precise hit. In simple terms, its accuracy is its unique feature.
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Other than the missile’s life being extended, its range was also extended from 290 km to 450 km. This was a fortunate result of India gaining full membership to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

BrahMos is currently the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world. Its various models can be launched from land, air, sea or underwater. The two-stage missile has already been introduced into the army and navy inventories. Its entry into the air-force is awaiting a successful trial.
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There have been other contenders in the field but most haven’t seen any progress beyond the prototype stage. It should also be noted that though BrahMos is the fastest ‘supersonic’ missile, the Zircon missile can travel at hypersonic speeds and is already a part of the Russian military might.

That being said, the BrahMos 2 will be based on the design of the Zircon missile. It’s already in the works under a collaboration between India and Russia. The estimation is that this missile will be able to travel at the speed of Mach 7.
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