PRALAY: Successful launch of surface-to-surface missile

PRALAY: Relevance

• GS 3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

PRALAY: Context

• Recently, an indigenous new surface to surface Conventional ballistic missile was successfully tested from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

PRALAY: Key points

• For the first time, two consecutive flight tests of a ballistic missile have been conducted successfully on two consecutive days.
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) started working on the project to develop a short-range solid-fuel surface-to-surface missile, around 2015.
• Pralay can hit the target at a range of 150 to 500 kilometres with an accuracy of less than 10 metres.
• the ‘Pralay’ missile was tested for heavier payload and different range to prove the precision and lethality of the weapon.
• This launch was monitored by all the range sensors and instruments, including Telemetry, Radar and Electro-Optic Tracking System deployed across the eastern coast and the down range ships positioned near the impact point.
• Pralay missile can be launched from a mobile launcher, and has a guidance system that includes state-of-the-art navigation mechanisms and integrated avionics.
• Pralay is a new-generation surface-to-surface missile equipped with modern technologies and the induction of the weapon system will provide the necessary impetus to the armed forces.

What is a ballistic missile?

• A ballistic missile is targeted as a projectile from a single launch force with not much-added guidance.
• It travels outside the atmosphere, detaches the warhead and falls back to earth.
• It follows the path of a ball thrown upwards which falls down.
• Since it depends on gravity to reach its target, it’s called a ballistic missile.

What is a quasi-ballistic missile?

• A quasi-ballistic missile (also called a semi ballistic missile) is a category of missile that has a low trajectory and/or is largely ballistic but can perform manoeuvres in flight or make unexpected changes in direction and range.

Classifications of ballistic missile

There are four general classifications of ballistic missiles based on their range, or the maximum distance the missile can travel:

• Short-range: less than 1,000 kilometers (approximately 620 miles), also known as “tactical” ballistic missiles.
• Medium-range: between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometers (approximately 620-1,860 miles), also known as “theater” ballistic missiles.
• Intermediate-range: between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers (approximately 1,860-3,410 miles)
• Long-range: more than 5,500 kilometers (approximately 3,410 miles), also known as intercontinental or strategic ballistic missiles. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) can fly much further than the minimum range.

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