Defense & Security Thailand 2019: Brahmos showcases its Supersonic Cruise Missile.

Brahmos, the world leader in cruise missile is presenting its Supersonic Cruise Missiles at Defense & Security Thailand, the biennial event which takes place in Bangkok from 18-21 November 2019. The cruise missile can be launched from multiple platforms based on land, sea, sub-sea, and air against sea and land targets.

Brahmos mounted on Destroyer mockup at Defense & Security Thailand 2019 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The BrahMos (designated PJ-10) is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft, or land. It is a joint venture between the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace. It is based on the Russian P-800 Oniks cruise missile and other similar sea-skimming Russian cruise missile technology.

The BrahMos PJ-10 is distinguished by its reported supersonic speed of between Mach 2.5-2.8, depending on the cruising altitude used. In addition to making it difficult to intercept, this speed also imparts a greater strike power. In addition, the BrahMos is equipped with stealth technology designed to make it less visible to radar and other detection methods. It has an inertial navigation system (INS) for use against ship targets, and an INS/Global Positioning System for use against land targets. Terminal guidance is achieved through an active/passive radar.

The BrahMos has a maximum range of 290 km depending on which variant and launch platform is used. The missile is powered by a solid propellant boost motor with a liquid-fueled ramjet sustainer motor. The ship and ground-launched version is 8.2 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.67 m, carries a 300 kg payload, and has a launch weight of 3,000 kg; the air-launched version is 8.0 m in length, has a diameter of 0.67 m, carries a 200 kg payload, and has a launch weight of 2,200 to 2,500 kg. All versions have four clipped tip delta wings at mid-body, with four small delta control fins at the rear. The BrahMos carries either a 200 or 300 kg high explosive semi-armor-piercing warhead or a 250 kg submunitions warhead. It can be launched from a vertical launch system, a ramp launcher, or alternatively from the air.

The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.