The trials of launching BrahMos cruise missile from air will begin in 2012 and the supersonic missile is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2013, BrahMos Aerospace's Chief Executive Officer, A. Sivathanu Pillai, said on Friday.
“Modification of the missile to fit it into Sukhoi fighter aircraft has been completed and is ready for integration with the aircraft,” he told reporters here. Mr. Pillai was here to inaugurate a two-day international conference at Kalasalingam University.
The weight and size of the cruise missile had been reduced to enable the fighter aircraft to carry it. The weight had been reduced by 500 kg to 2.5 tonnes.
Su-30 MKI had been chosen for aerial launching of the supersonic missile as it was the main fighter aircraft of Indian defence and the aircraft was still under production.
“We have asked the Russian manufacturers to modify the structure of the aircraft … to carry the missile in its belly,” he said.
Another peculiar advantage with the Su-30 MKI was that it had the ability of mid-air refuelling. The work on modification of the electrical, fire control and software is in progress.
“The trials of dropping the dummy missile will be taken up in 2012. The induction into the Air Force could be faster,” he added.
