The long-range Nirbhay cruise missile was successfully test-fired off the Odisha coast on Thursday.

The missile, also known as Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM), is equipped with an indigenous propulsion system and the Manik turbofan engine.

The missile is indigenously developed by Bengaluru-based DRDO laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

The test was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

This successful flight test also established the reliable performance of the indigenous propulsion system developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru.

During the test, all subsystems of the weapon performed as per expectations. The missile performance was monitored by several Range Sensors like Radar, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Telemetry deployed by ITR at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path.

The missile followed the desired path using waypoint navigation and demonstrated very low-altitude sea-skimming flight. The flight of the missile was also monitored by IAF Su-30-Mk-I aircraft.

The missile is also equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and reliable performance.

The supersonic weapon has been developed by Bengaluru-based DRDO laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) with contributions from other DRDO laboratories and indigenous industries.

The test was witnessed by many senior scientists from various DRDO laboratories dotted across the country along with representatives from production partners.

Source: India Today