Solar Group Successfully Test Fires Guided Micro-Missiles for Bhargavastra Counter-Drone System
The Solar Group has made a significant leap in counter-drone technology with the successful test-firing of guided micro-missiles designed for the Bhargavastra Counter-Drone System. The recent tests, conducted under varying conditions, demonstrated the system’s efficacy in engaging targets at ranges from 400 meters to 2.5 kilometers. This innovation represents a major milestone in addressing the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on modern battlefields.
Compact and Mobile Design
One of the standout features of the Bhargavastra system is its remarkable compactness. The entire system, including 64 micro-missiles, can be mounted on a standard 4x4 vehicle, providing unparalleled mobility. This portability ensures rapid deployment across diverse terrains and operational scenarios, enhancing the system’s tactical flexibility.
Dual Missile Systems
The Bhargavastra system employs two distinct types of guided missiles, each tailored for specific engagement scenarios:
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Command-Guided Missiles: These missiles have an effective range of up to 3 kilometers, providing precision targeting in short to medium-range engagements.
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Seeker-Based Missiles: With an extended range of 5 kilometers, these missiles are equipped with advanced seekers for long-range engagements, ensuring high accuracy and effectiveness against a variety of UAV threats.
Advanced Targeting and Detection
The Bhargavastra system is equipped with an integrated electro-optical targeting system that combines multiple cutting-edge technologies:
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Day TV Camera: Enables precise visual tracking during daylight operations.
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Infrared Camera: Ensures effective target acquisition in low-light and night-time scenarios.
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Laser Range Finder: Provides accurate distance measurements for enhanced targeting precision.
Supporting this advanced targeting suite is a below-panel Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system. Featuring four panels for complete 360-degree coverage, the radar can detect stealth targets as small as 0.01 square meters from a distance of 10 kilometers. This capability ensures early threat detection and swift engagement.
Modular and Interoperable Design
The system’s missiles are housed in four modular missile cassettes, allowing for efficient reloading and maintenance. Additionally, the Bhargavastra is engineered to integrate seamlessly with other defense systems, enabling its operation within a multi-layered counter-drone framework.
Multi-Layered Counter-Drone System
The Bhargavastra system incorporates both hard-kill and soft-kill technologies to address a wide spectrum of UAV threats:
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Hard-Kill Layer: Employs guided micro-missiles to physically neutralize UAVs, ensuring the destruction of hostile drones.
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Soft-Kill Layer: Utilizes electronic warfare capabilities to disrupt and disable UAVs through non-kinetic means. This layer enhances operational versatility, particularly in scenarios where hard-kill solutions may not be viable.
Network-Centric Integration
Designed with modern warfare in mind, the Bhargavastra system seamlessly integrates into existing network-centric defense infrastructures. This capability ensures that the system can function as part of a broader defense ecosystem, providing enhanced situational awareness and enabling real-time coordination with other systems.
Addressing the Evolving Threat Landscape
With UAVs increasingly utilized for reconnaissance and as weaponized platforms, the need for advanced counter-drone systems has never been greater. Solar Group’s Bhargavastra aims to fill this critical gap by offering a robust, adaptable, and multi-functional solution capable of neutralizing a wide range of UAV threats.
The successful development and testing of the Bhargavastra system underscore Solar Group’s commitment to innovation and excellence in defense technology. As UAV threats continue to evolve, systems like Bhargavastra will play a pivotal role in ensuring the security and operational superiority of modern armed forces.
