DRDO and Indian Navy flight-test first-of-its-kind Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) from a Seaking helicopter at Chandipur
DRDO and the Indian Navy carried out successful flight-trials of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha, on 25 February 2025, launching it from a Seaking helicopter.
Summary
On 25 February 2025 the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully flight-tested the first-of-its-kind Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, launching it from an Indian Navy Seaking helicopter. The trials proved the missile's Man-in-Loop feature: a two-way datalink sent live seeker images to the pilot, who retargeted the missile in flight onto a smaller hidden ship, scoring a direct hit in sea-skimming mode at maximum range. The missile uses an indigenous Imaging Infra-Red seeker for terminal guidance, a fibre-optic gyroscope-based INS and radio altimeter for mid-course guidance, and solid propulsion with an in-line ejectable booster and long-burn sustainer. It was developed by DRDO labs including Research Centre Imarat and the Defence Research and Development Laboratory.
Key facts
- Date
- 25 February 2025
- Range
- Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha
- Launch platform
- Indian Navy Seaking helicopter
- Key feature
- Man-in-Loop - in-flight retargeting via two-way datalink
- Terminal guidance
- Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red seeker
- Propulsion
- Solid; in-line ejectable booster, long-burn sustainer
Practice MCQs 3 questions
From which platform was the Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) launched in its flight-trials at Chandipur on 25 February 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Seaking helicopter
The NASM-SR was launched from an Indian Navy Seaking helicopter during the trials at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.
Which feature of the NASM-SR, proven in the February 2025 trials, allows the pilot to retarget the missile in flight?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Man-in-Loop
The trials proved the Man-in-Loop feature, in which live seeker images sent over a two-way datalink let the pilot retarget the missile in flight.
What type of seeker does the NASM-SR use for terminal guidance?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red seeker
The NASM-SR uses an indigenous Imaging Infra-Red seeker for terminal guidance; mid-course guidance uses a fibre-optic gyroscope-based INS and radio altimeter.