IT Correspondent
Mumbai, April 12:
Indigenously developed helicopter launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘Helina’ was successfully flight tested at high-altitude ranges as part of user validation trials at Pokhran in Rajasthan on April 11, Monday.
The flight test was jointly conducted by the teams of scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Army, and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The flight trials were conducted from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and the missile was fired successfully engaging a simulated tank target. The missile is guided by an Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seeker operating in the Lock on Before Launch mode. It is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world.
In continuation to validation trials, this proof of efficacy at high altitudes paves the way for its integration into the ALH. The trials were witnessed by senior Army commanders and senior scientists of the DRDO, an official statement said.
Helina has a maximum range of seven km and has been designed and developed for integration on the weaponized version of the ALH. The Helina missile system has all-weather, day, and night capability and can defeat battle tanks with conventional armour as well as explosive reactive armour. It has been developed for integration with choppers in both the Army and the Air Force.
It can engage targets in both indirect hit mode as well as top attack mode. In the top attack mode, the missile is required to climb sharply after launch and travel at a certain altitude, and then plunge to the top of the target. In the direct hit mode, the missile travels at a lower altitude, directly striking the target.
Helina has been developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad under the Missiles and Strategic Systems (MSS) cluster of the DRDO.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and the Indian Army for the maiden achievement through joint work. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman DRDO Dr. G Satheesh Reddy also congratulated the teams for the commendable job performed in difficult conditions.
