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SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

VIDEO CC Manish Prasad

A recent viral video shared by Manish Prasad has captured the attention of defense enthusiasts and strategists alike. The footage demonstrates the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Guided Pinaka rocket system executing a remarkable mid-air course correction, illustrating its advanced Terrain Avoidance capability during a high-altitude trial. This feature not only enhances the system’s effectiveness in mountainous terrains but also provides significant strategic advantages in modern warfare.

In the video, the Guided Pinaka is seen altering its flight path to avoid an obstacle, in this case, a hill, demonstrating its ability to navigate complex terrains. This capability is crucial in regions like the Himalayas, where India often conducts military operations along its northern borders.

Here’s how this feature works:

  • Dynamic Trajectory Adjustment: Post-launch, the rocket uses onboard sensors and guidance systems to detect obstacles and adjust its trajectory accordingly. This is not just about avoiding obstacles but also about optimizing the flight path for accuracy.
  • Canard Control: The rocket employs canards, small wing-like structures at the front, to execute maneuvers. These allow for high angles of attack (AoA) and energy depletion, enabling the rocket to essentially climb over or around obstacles before diving towards its target.

By avoiding terrain features, the Guided Pinaka can deliver its payload with high accuracy, even in areas where traditional rockets would be less effective due to geographical constraints. The ability to maneuver means that the rocket’s trajectory is less predictable. This complicates enemy weapon locating radars (WLRs) efforts to backtrack the rocket to its launch site, providing a layer of secrecy and protection for the launcher crews.

High altitude areas often have natural defenses like mountains, which can be turned into strategic advantages. The Pinaka’s ability to maneuver around these without losing target acquisition increases the survivability of both the system and its operators in contested areas.

The unpredictability of where such a rocket can come from or go can have a significant psychological effect on adversaries, making them wary of counterattacks or defensive positioning.

Most rocket launchers around the world follow a more predictable ballistic trajectory, making them vulnerable to anti-rocket defences and WLRs. The Guided Pinaka’s ability to change course mid-flight is not common among similar systems globally, positioning India’s defence capabilities as uniquely advanced. With many nations deploying sophisticated radars for locating artillery and rocket systems, the Pinaka’s manoeuvrability can render these systems less effective. This capability gives Indian forces a tactical edge, as it allows for operations in environments where other nations might struggle, particularly in high-altitude or mountainous regions.

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