Long Range – Anti Ship Missile (India)

LRAShM
Type	Hypersonic anti-ship missile, Medium range ballistic missile
Place of origin	India
Service history
In service	Developmental trials
Used by	Integrated Rocket Force, Indian Navy (intended)
Production history
Designer	Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex (DRDO)
Specifications
Mass	<20 t (20 long tons; 22 short tons)
Length	14 m (45 ft 11 in)
Diameter	1.4 m (4 ft 7 in)
Warhead	Hypersonic glide vehicle
Operational range	>1,500 kilometres (930 mi)
Maximum speed	>Mach 6[1]
Launch platform	Transporter erector launcher, Vertical launching system (Warships)

The Long Range – Anti Ship Missile (LRAShM) is part of a broader hypersonic missile development programme undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India for the Indian Armed Forces. The speed of a ballistic missile and the maneuverability of a cruise missile are combined in LRAShM. In order to target and destroy enemy warships with precision strikes at a greater distance, a naval version of the missile is currently under development.^[2]

The first variant being developed is the anti-ship variant for the Indian Navy and can be launched from shore-based transporter erector launcher (TEL) as well as warship-based vertical launching system (VLS). Further land-based variants of the missile will also be developed for use by other branches of the Armed Forces. This will be a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) and deployed as a part of Integrated Rocket Force.^[3][4]

The study and advancement on hypersonic systems began from 2007. According to A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who spoke at the Defence Research and Development Organization Directors Conference on February 21, 2007, one of the defense systems that will be required over the next 15 years is hypersonic weaponry.^[5] Meanwhile, BrahMos Aerospace's hypersonic missile program is anticipated to develop the BrahMos-II, based on the Russian 3M22 Zircon.

The United States' unpredictable sanctions on other countries have the potential to impede the development of BrahMos-II, thus India launched an independent program to develop hypersonic weapons capabilities.

The Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), which DRDO began developing in 2008, aims to demonstrate scramjet capability at up to 20 km altitude. Scientists and engineers agree that discussing Mach values up to 30 km in height makes sense, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).^[6][7]

In February 2024, IIT Kanpur built and evaluated the Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility, referred to as S2, in the Department of Aerospace Engineering's Hypersonic Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory (HEAL). ballistic missile launches, scramjet flights, and extreme hypersonic conditions of atmospheric entry can all be replicated at the S2 facility. It is anticipated that the facility will support ISRO and DRDO's Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle, RLV Technology Demonstration Program, and Gaganyaan.^[8] The 2020 test of HSTDV validated aerodynamic configuration of vehicle, ignition and sustained combustion of scramjet engine at hypersonic flow, separation mechanisms and characterised thermo-structural materials.^[9][10]

India has developed several series of ballistic missiles for the three services. Land-based nuclear-capable ballisitic missiles have a range of up to 5,000 km (3,100 mi) whereas their sea-based counterparts have a range of up to 3,500 km (2,200 mi). This includes Pralay, Prithvi series, Agni series and the K series of missiles. However, most of these long-range missiles features nuclear warheads expect for the Pralay missile which has a conventional warhead option but a limited range of up to 500 km (310 mi) and is designed for major tactical conventional strikes. Hence, the need was felt to develop a conventional warhead-equipped ballistic missile with a range of over 1,500 km (930 mi).^[11][12]

In September 2022, reports revealed that Defence Research and Development Organisation is ready with the design of a 1,500-kilometer range conventionally armed ballistic missile with an anti-ship variant. The proposal to initiate the development of the unnamed missile was moved to the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and DRDO awaited for the approval from the committee. The missile will have the capability to deter any land or sea-based threats.^[13][14]

The under development missile was first mentioned in the 2023 Year End Review of the Ministry of Defence. The missile was named Long Range – Anti Ship Missile (LRAShM).^[15]

In 2024, it was reported that the LRAShM and its land-based variant would form a part of the proposed Integrated Rocket Force along with Pralay, BrahMos, Nirbhay and Pinaka MBRL.^[12][4]

The missile is being developed in the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad with other DRDO laboratories and industry partners.^[16][3] The Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) assigned Sterling Techno-Systems, a private sector business based in Pune, the responsibility for developing the dummy article to simulate load and force on the vehicle during trials.^[17] The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility of the National Aerospace Laboratories.^[18]

As per a report, the missile's diameter is probably 1.4 meters, and is around 14 meters long. It weighs less than 20 tonnes in total. This missile could be closely related to the Agni-P and the K4 ballistic missiles.^[19] The missile incorporates a delta-wing hypersonic glide vehicle.^[20] It has a minimum range of 1,500 km (930 mi) and utilises Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) to reduce the reaction time of the target to retaliate or defend itself. The glide vehicle follows a quasi-ballisitc trajectory and a lower speed at terminal phase as compared to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles which enhances manoeuvrability and reduces the effectiveness of the adversaries' air defence missiles.^[16] The missile will have several warhead configurations for use in various roles by all the branches of the Indian Armed Forces.^[21]

From a hermetically sealed container, LRAShM is cold-launched. Before the first-stage solid rocket motor ignites, it fires attitude control thrusters twice. Beginning around 8 seconds after lift-off, the missile's trajectory shifts from vertical to horizontal in about 6 seconds. With its early post-launch change to a horizontal trajectory, the missile is intended to fly in the atmosphere for the whole mission. A booster stage and a hypersonic sustainer engine make up the two solid propellant rocket stages of the LRAShM. The mid-body of the rocket has cruciform, short span, and long chord aerodynamic surfaces, while the aft body has four small triangular fins. Fins give flight stability, whereas mid-body aerodynamic surfaces give lift, flight path control, and maneuverability. The cruciform design lowers aerodynamic drag at high speed.^[22]

• The first test was conducted on an unspecified date in 2023 as per the 2023 Year End Review of the Ministry of Defence.^[15]
• The missile was again tested on 16 November 2024 from the Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The missile was tracked by various optical sensors deployed across various domains. The test was successful and terminal maneuvers and high accuracy of the missile was as per expectations of the developing team.^[3] Earlier, a report had suggested the test launch of a similar anti-ship ballistic missile that could target warships and aircraft carriers at long distances of over 1,000 km (620 mi).^[23]

Other related Indian missile programmes

• Shaurya (missile) – a hypersonic short range ballistic missile
• Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle – a hypersonic short range ballistic missile
• HGV-202F – a hypersonic glide vehicle development programme
• List of Indian military missiles – a list of missiles used by or under development for Indian Armed Forces.

Related missile programmes of other countries

• DF-ZF – a Chinese hypersonic glide vehicle
• Avangard – a Russian hypersonic glide vehicle
• Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 – an American hypersonic glide vehicle programme
• Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon – an American hypersonic ballistic missile programme
• 3M22 Zircon – a Russian hypersonic missile
• Kh-47M2 Kinzhal – a Russian hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile
• Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile – an American hypersonic cruise missile programme