Chandipur (Odisha), Nov 5: In a huge success, the enhanced version of the Pinaka rocket system, developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was successfully flight tested from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. This enhanced version can hit a target 45 to 60 km away.
With a total of six rockets being launched in quick succession, the flight tests met complete mission objectives. The rockets tested have been manufactured by M/s Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur, to whom the technology has been transferred. All the flight articles were tracked by Range instruments such as telemetry, radar, and Electro-Optical Tracking Systems which confirmed the flight performance.
The development of an advanced Pinaka system was taken up to achieve longer range performance compared to an earlier design with a reduced length. The design and development have been carried out by Pune based DRDO laboratories, namely Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
This enhanced version would replace the existing Pinaka Mk-I rockets which are currently under production. While Mk-1 had a range of 36 km, this enhanced variant can hit a target 45 to 60 km away and has been developed as per the requirements of the Indian Army.