Coimbatore: With the air-version of BrahMos
missile likely to be inducted in IAF within a year, works have
already been started to develop BrahMos 2, the fastest
Hypersonic missile in the world, which would take final shape
in five years, a top scientist said.
While the BrahMos missile has the speed of Mach 3 (speed of
sound) moving at one km per second, the Hypersonic missile
would achieve a speed of Mach 6 to Mach 7, double than that of
the present missile, A Sivathanu Pillai, CEO and Managing
Director, BrahMos Aerospace, told PTI.
"We have the guidelines and technology to make Hypersonic
missile. However, tests have to be conducted for configuring
with the propulsion and the engine and flight tested, which
would take at least five years," Pillai said.
Once operational, BrahMos 2 would be the fastest missile in
the world,he said.
Having achieved the land and sea versions of BrahMos
missile, the air version was in the final stage and after
carrying out the critical test, it would be inducted into the
Indian Air Force to use in Sukhoi-30,the main striking
aircraft. The missile would be a versatile system in the
Defence Force, he said.
Asked about enquiries from foreign Countries, Pillai said
that since there was no equivalent to the BrahMos, many
countries were queuing up for the missile for use in multiple
platforms in their force.
However, there was huge requirement of this missile in
India and only after fulfilling the demand, the company can
think of supplying to foreign countries, he said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 11:46