DRDO Plans to Extend Akash Missile's Reach and Efficiency through Innovative Fuel Tech, Bypassing Costly Redesigns

Following notable successes in neutralising Pakistani aerial threats, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is reportedly exploring innovative methods to enhance the capabilities of the Akash missile system.

The primary focus is on developing alternative propulsion fuels to increase the missile's range and operational efficiency without requiring expensive and time-consuming changes to its existing structure or design.

The Akash missile system is a critical component of India's air defence network. It has demonstrated its effectiveness by successfully intercepting various Pakistani aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and short-range ballistic missiles.

Building upon this proven track record, DRDO scientists are now working to optimise the Akash missile's ramjet sustainer motor. This air-breathing jet engine, which propels the missile after its initial boost, is targeted for an upgrade through the use of next-generation propulsion fuels.

These advanced fuels are anticipated to significantly improve the missile's overall performance, including its speed, manoeuvrability, and effective range.

According to informed sources, the DRDO's current initiative centres on creating new fuel formulations that can be seamlessly integrated into the existing Akash missile systems.

This approach cleverly sidesteps the need for substantial redesigns of the missile's airframe or other vital components, thereby saving considerable time and resources.

The ramjet sustainer motor is particularly suitable for such fuel-based enhancements, as advanced fuels can unlock greater thrust and improved burn efficiency, directly translating to better missile performance.

While precise details regarding the composition of these alternative propulsion fuels are not publicly available, initial indications suggest that their adoption could substantially expand the missile's operational capabilities.

The Akash system is already known for its versatility in engaging a wide array of aerial targets, such as fighter aircraft, drones, and incoming ballistic missiles. The planned fuel upgrade is expected to markedly improve its ability to intercept threats at longer distances.

This enhancement will further strengthen its position within India's comprehensive, layered air defence architecture, which also includes systems like the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) and the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program, creating multiple tiers of protection against aerial attacks.

This strategic decision to enhance fuel technology is part of India's wider effort to maintain a technological advantage in its regional security environment, especially in light of evolving missile and drone technologies.

The Akash system's reliability has been clearly demonstrated in recent engagements. DRDO's proactive efforts to upgrade its propulsion signal a commitment to ensuring that India's defence capabilities remain advanced and effective against potential future threats.

By concentrating on fuel improvements, the DRDO aims to keep the Akash missile system a potent deterrent, achieving significant performance gains without the need for extensive and costly hardware modifications.

 

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[Radha Ramanan]

Usually, ramjet engines use a form of aviation kerosene, RP-1, that's the standard fuel for ramjets as it is easily available and not dangerous, unlike some liquid rocket fuels that are very dangerous. The initial Prithvi missiles used a very dangerous, poisonous fuel for humans. Subsequently, it was solid-fueled. The advantage is that liquid-fueled rockets are inherently more accurate as they can be throttled up or down or shut off when parameters are reached. All satellite launch vehicles will have liquid engines to put the satellite in the correct orbit.

The only thing that can be done to increase the range of the Akash is to use a higher specific impulse fuel. It is not possible to enlarge the fuel tank as so many parameters will change due to that. Moreover, we are phasing out the Akash for the Akash NG as well. Russia uses a proprietary fuel for its scramjet-powered Zircon hypersonic missiles. Everything is state-of-the-art in the Zircon, and the US has no equal to it. Russia is dragging its feet to give that tech to India for the BrahMos-2, as reported before. Even then, Russia will ask for sky-high prices, around $10 million a piece and more for the infrastructure, etc.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Ramjet engines are low maintenance. Try to develop higher range ramjet engines which are not very heavy.

 

[Sandeep]

It will be ideal to just change the propulsion fuel to extend the range and speed. Any changes to the structure will require an expensive and long period of testing and evaluation which would take years.

Despite that the Akash missile performed brilliantly and hit every one of their target and there’s been no report of a single miss. It has been battled tested and passed all of its tests.

Our focus should now be on quickly and 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture the Akash NG for long range interception and the VL-SRSAM for short to medium range interception.

 

[s gupta]

Why change something which is already amazing? Use resources where they are required.

 

[Jabberwock]

The problem is probably the weight of the Akash missile and the fuel consumption when trying to intercept high-altitude ballistic missiles. According to Wikipedia, the weight of Akash is 720 kg; compare that to Barak-8, it's triple the weight.

 

[pgahlot]

That's a good move to increase the range just by modification in fuel.

 

[Mc Addy]

Looks good ,if no structure change , yet new type of fuel ,can extend its range by even few km ,can be good .must test it and also if warhead can be modified to be lighter and instead of that extra fuel can go in ,that's in use now ,that will also do the job, or maybe create ,three varients , like one of for extended reach , one with lighter warhead but more fuel or speed as weight ,do cause performance issues or new fuel and a combo. We must classify targets for this system also ,so specific type can be launched . Like UAV may need lighter hit, jet even lighter as at high speed , impacts are massive but for missiles and shells that are made of hard steel ect, major hammering type warhead is needed .