Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM)

28.03.2025

Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM)

Why in the news?   

            India successfully flight tested the vertically launched short range surface to air missile (VL-SRSAM) from a defence test facility off the Odisha coast recently.

About Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM):

• It is an indigenously developed Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SRSAM).
• It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It is a quick reaction missile capable of neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges, including sea-skimming targets.
• Initially designed for the Indian Navy for a strike range of 40 km, it can now attack targets up to 80 km.
• The missile is now being developed for use by the Indian Air Force to protect its air bases.

Features of the VLSRSAM:

• Having a diameter of 178 mm and a wingspan of 508 mm, the missile is 3.93 metres long.
• It weighs around 170 kg and uses solid propellant.
• With a maximum speed of Mach 4.5, the weapon system can reach an altitude of 16 km.
• During the mid-course flight, the missile uses a fibre-optic gyroscope-based inertial guidance mechanism, while the terminal phase uses active radar homing.
• It comes as an integrated missile and weapon control system (WCS) with a capability to hold multiple missiles in a twin quad-pack canister configuration.

                               Source: The New Indian Express

Consider the following statements regarding the Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM), recently seen in the news:

Statement-I: It was indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Statement-II: It has a range of around 200 km.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer C