SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy’s indigenous air defense system, the VL-SRSAM, is set for a significant upgrade with a redesigned Vertical Launch Unit (VLU). This new design addresses limitations identified during testing of the previous iteration.
The most notable change involves the plenum uptake chamber (PUC) duct. Previously, a single large duct served all eight missile canisters. The new VLU employs four smaller, individual PUC ducts, each equipped with twin hatch doors.
The smaller ducts are expected to optimize exhaust flow patterns, potentially enhancing overall system performance. By replacing the single bulky duct with four smaller ones, the overall weight of the VLU is expected to decrease. This is crucial as the Indian Navy demands a total weight of 4200 kg for the entire VLU system, including the eight missiles.
While the new design offers operational benefits, it comes with a potential trade-off. The 180-degree opening of the twin hatch doors might restrict how closely VLUs can be positioned side-by-side on a naval vessel. This could potentially impact the number of VLUs a ship can carry.
The redesigned VLU represents a significant step forward for the VL-SRSAM system. While the new hatch design might require adjustments to ship layouts, the overall benefits in performance and weight reduction are likely to outweigh this limitation. The Indian Navy’s pursuit of a robust and efficient air defense system continues with this latest development.