Context
India successfully flight tests VSHORADS missile
About VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System)
- Type: Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD).
- Purpose: Designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
- Developer: DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs and industry.
- Portability: Optimized for easy portability; requires minimal personnel to operate.
- Technology: Incorporates miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics.
- Propulsion: Powered by a dual-thrust solid motor.
- Range: Effective up to 6 km.
- Deployment: Suitable for rapid deployment in mountainous areas like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Design Features
- Optimization: The missile and launcher are designed for lightweight and portability.
- Technologies: Features miniaturized RCS and integrated avionics for precise operation.
- Purpose: Specifically designed to neutralize low-altitude threats.
About Reaction Control System (RCS)
- Function: Controls the attitude (orientation) and steering through thrusters.
- Capability: Provides small thrust in any direction, and can control rotation (pitch, yaw, and roll).
About MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defence Systems)
- Developed in the 1960s by the United States and the Soviet Union.
- Purpose: Short-range, portable surface-to-air missiles used to destroy aircraft or helicopters.
- Effectiveness: Shields troops from aerial attacks, targeting low-flying aircraft.
- Range: Maximum range of 8 km, effective at altitudes of 4.5 km.
- MANPATs (Man-Portable Anti-Tank Systems) – Similar to MANPADS, but designed to destroy or incapacitate tanks.
Source:
TH
Previous Year Question
What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) An Israeli radar system
(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme
(c) An American anti-missile system
(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea
Answer: (c)
