DRDO starts work on Nag MK 2 ATGM
DRDO has started work on the development of Nag Mk2 ATGM, to be integrated in a twin launcher configuration with each launcher holding one missile.
Nag Mk2 will be an improved lightweight ATGM with performance improvement and slight increase in Range. Nag Mk2 likely will also adopt some of the technologies from the HELINA (HELIcopter NAg) program, like the New Jet Vane Control System (JVC) into it.
Nag is a 3rd Gen “Fire-and-forget” Anti-Tank guided missile. It is one of the five missile system developed by DRDO under Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
Nag has been developed at a cost of ₹3 billion (US$ 48 million). Nag is first ATGM which has a complete fibreglass structure.
Nag Mk1 was in process of being inducted after extensive tests in 2019. Army varient HELINA and Airforce version Dhruvastra also have been successfully demonstrated their capabilities in a series of multi-mission user trials in 2021 from HAL developed Rudra WSI helicopter and is ready for induction in Armed Forces.
Specifications
Nag Mk1
| Type | ATGM |
| Weight | 43 Kg (95lb) |
| Length | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Diameter | 200mm |
| Warhead | 8 Kg (18lb) (Tandem warhead) |
| Engine | Tandem Solid propulsion (Nitramine based smokeless extruded double base sustainer propellant) |
| Speed | 230 m/s |
| Wingspan | 400mm |
| Operational Range | Land version: 500m to 4km Air version : 7 – 10 Km SANT : 15 – 20 Km |
| Guidance System | Active Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seeker, Millimetric wave (mmW) |
| Single-Shot hit probability | Back in 2018 is was 0.77 Now it’s improved to 0.90 |
As originally Conceived, the Nag would have been available with three types of guidance, a wire guided version, an infra-red version, and a millimetric wave (mmW) version.
DRDO failed to develop a wire guidance System, this led to plans for this being scrapped.
Currently, guidance is based on Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) passive seeker that ensures a high hit accuracy in both top and front attack modes.
While, the mmW seeker is intended to operate as an optional system that can replace the IIR passive seeker as a module. A CCD camera is also incorporated into the guidance system. The advantage of this optical seeker is that it is less prone to Jamming.
Another advantage of the missile is property of the propellant. Most missile leaves a plume as the missile heads towards the target. This makes it harder for the firer to remain hidden. In the Nag, however, the plume is visible only during the first one second of the flight, as the missile’s booster imparts 90% of the velocity, following which a sustainer maintains the missile’s speed, burning a smokeless propellant that is almost invisible.
