DRDO Seeks Industry Expertise to Develop 360-Degree Launcher for Man-Portable VSHORADS System

India's DRDO is actively seeking an industry partner to collaborate on a critical component for the nation's next-generation Very Short Range Air Defense System (VSHORADS).

This indigenously designed and developed air defense system represents a crucial advancement in India's capability to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats.

What is VSHORADS?​

VSHORADS is a man-portable missile system developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), in partnership with additional DRDO laboratories and industry collaborators.

The system is designed for portability and ease of use in the field, providing frontline troops with reliable protection against aircraft, helicopters, and drones.

A Call for Collaboration​

The specific area where DRDO seeks outside expertise is in developing a remotely operated, 360-degree swiveling launcher for the VSHORADS system. This advanced launcher will feature a two-missile tube configuration, enabling rapid firing with one-second intervals between launches.

Design Priorities: Portability and Power​

Understanding the vital role of soldiers on the battlefield, VSHORADS emphasizes portability in all its components.

The missiles themselves are propelled by dual-thrust solid motors, offering a potent solution easily carried in combat situations. The launcher design similarly focuses on seamless battlefield mobility.

Operational Flexibility​

The Indian Army has signaled its interest in deploying VSHORADS beyond its core man-portable form.

Plans are underway to potentially mount the system on Light Military Vehicles, expanding its capabilities and adding a highly mobile element to India's layered air defense network.

The Future of Indian Air Defence​

DRDO's initiative to partner with the defence industry showcases a commitment to innovation and collaboration.

The development of the advanced VSHORADS system reflects India's ambition to bolster its defensive capabilities and maintain a technological edge in the crucial field of air defense.

 

[Pink Panther]

Yes very important in the current modern day warfare especially with cheap drones.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Yes very important in the current modern day warfare especially with cheap drones.

Yeah, this sort of swiveling launcher is needed if this system is to be installed on ships or on vehicles to provide 360 degree coverage.

We already have vertical launch capability, this sviweling system system is an important gap that needs to be filled.

 

[Pink Panther]

Yeah, this sort of swiveling launcher is needed if this system is to be installed on ships or on vehicles to provide 360 degree coverage.

We already have vertical launch capability, this sviweling system system is an important gap that needs to be filled.

Yes with swiveling launchers we could change the angle easily to attack swarm drones that comes from multiple angle.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Yes with swiveling launchers we could change the angle easily to attack swarm drones that comes from multiple angle.

We also save space, since VLS cells are limited. These swivelling launchers store missiles on top of the ship, rather than occupy the limited space inside it.

 

[Pink Panther]

We also save space, since VLS cells are limited. These swivelling launchers store missiles on top of the ship, rather than occupy the limited space inside it.

But these launcher tubes will make the ships anti stealthy as they stick out from the surface of ship deck, we need to some how make these launchers hide under the deck and make them pop up when ship radar detects an aerial threat and based on the size the combat management software should decide which launcher to use, good to use AI to assess the threat like in the case of Lockheed’s AEGIS combat management system, we already have a combat management system in all the new ships that we have according to one of the article I read here a while ago.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

Yes very important in the current modern day warfare especially with cheap drones.

Yes.
VSHORADS will also have many applications

1. Man portable
2. Self Propelled Air Defence-Gun Missile System
3. Light armoured vehicles
4. Helicopters(air to air)
5. Naval version (equivalent to US RIM-116 missile for very short range defence)
6. Etc.

 

[sunilanalysis]

VSHORADS are key part of future warfare along with drones

 

[beencensured]

Yes.
VSHORADS will also have many applications

1. Man portable
2. Self Propelled Air Defence-Gun Missile System
3. Light armoured vehicles
4. Helicopters(air to air)
5. Naval version (equivalent to US RIM-116 missile for very short range defence)
6. Etc.

Pack a 16/32 launchers on 360 degree swivel on a jeep/ armored vehicles, and India got low level air defense for a company level defense or lower.

 

[Taus Melek]

I find this post incredible. So. DRDO want to seek industry collaboration to develop weapons for Indian military?
Let me enlighten DRDO on one fact, it is their remit to develop critcal systems and technologies and then pass it on to industry to mass produce. If they are unable to fulfil this remit then the hundreds of billions of rupees given to DRDO each year should be given over to the relevant industry or technical institution that can deliver.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical necessity and this light system can be used on many different platforms and it is a cheap product to make. This can be used on bases, critical buildings, vehicles, tanks, IFV or key infrastructure points to attack helicopters, drones and low flying jets.

It's not clear if this is a hand held launcher fired missile or a fixed position fired missile? Also will it be launched by hand or by remote if it can swivel? If firing from a fixed position then how will they remotely swivel and track the incoming threat and will it require any EO/IR radar? If it is a hand held launcher then the person will be able to move around and fire it by trigger.

 

[Satya Dev]

There is a huge demand for MANPATGMs, MANPADSs & MANPanti-drone systems internationally - Bharat should develop & export next gen weapons in these 3 areas.