Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The first-of-its-kind Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) was successfully flown by the Indian Navy and the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, marking a major milestone for India’s defense capabilities. Launched from an Indian Naval Seaking Helicopter, the missile proved to be accurate and successful in hitting ship targets.
The recent tests demonstrated the missile’s sophisticated Man-in-Loop capability, which allows it to attack a small ship target directly at its maximum range while in sea-skimming mode. For terminal guidance, the missile has an Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red Seeker, which guarantees excellent accuracy. A high-bandwidth two-way datalink system that sends live seeker photos back to the pilot for in-flight retargeting was also successfully demonstrated during the mission.
With several targets nearby, the missile was fired in Bearing-only Lock-on after Launch (LOAL) mode. The missile first fixed onto a bigger target inside a predetermined search area. But the pilot chose a smaller, concealed target during the final phase, and it was struck precisely. This feature demonstrates the missile’s adaptability and accuracy in challenging battle situations. A Fiber Optic Gyroscope-based Inertial Navigation System (INS), a Radio Altimeter for mid-course guidance, an Integrated Avionics Module, Electro-Mechanical Actuators for controlling jet vanes and aerodynamics, thermal batteries, and a PCB warhead are among the advanced indigenous technologies that are integrated into the NASM-SR. A long-burning sustainer and an in-line ejectable booster make up the missile’s sturdy propulsion mechanism.
The Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, and Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory are among the DRDO laboratories that have produced the missile. With assistance from MSMEs, start-ups, and other industry partners, Development cum Production Partners is producing the missile. The Indian Navy, DRDO, and industrial partners were commended by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh for the successful flight testing. He emphasized the special qualities of the Man-in-Loop function, which increases the operational flexibility of the missile by enabling in-flight retargeting. The DRDO team, users, and industry partners were also commended by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO and Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, for their contributions to this accomplishment.
