Navy Repurposes Decommissioned Anti-Ship Missile for Realistic Air Defence Training

In a resourceful display of innovation, the Indian Navy demonstrated a unique training solution at the recent MILAN Technical Exposition (MTEX 2024).

The Naval Armament Depot showcased its repurposing of a decommissioned Kh-35E (3M-24E) anti-ship missile of Russian origin into a sea-skimming target drone for air defence drills.

Typically deployed for offensive purposes from ships or aircraft, the Kh-35E served an alternate role as a practice target for other naval vessels.

Maintaining a low-flying profile below 10 meters above sea level, the missile simulated the threat posed by real-world anti-ship attack profiles.

This realistic simulation allowed crews to refine their air defence systems and missile interception capabilities.

The Kh-35E missile incorporates various technological components, including a body, an active radar seeker, high-explosive fragmentation penetrator warhead, self-destruct system, inertial navigation system, radio altimeter, air intake, fuel system, turbofan engine, and solid-state rocket booster.

Adopting decommissioned missiles for target practice offers a cost-saving measure compared to developing dedicated target drones from scratch.

Additionally, the Kh-35E's natural sea-skimming trajectory provides a highly realistic training scenario for ship-based crews. This innovative approach reduces waste and aligns with responsible environmental practices.

 

[NSR]

Very great idea indeed.
India can test all of its navalized VLRSAM and MRSAM and LRSAM against it.
It will give the guidance, navigation, and control experts to fine tune the missile guidance to the perfection.
Way to go!!!

 

[Sandeep]

This seems to be the best way to train against real life threats as drones will be slower and can't mimic a missile flight path and evasion methods. India should change its training manuals and use real life missile threats and interception tactics which will help the crew.

 

[sanjiv]

I assume they would have removed the warhead for this test. I wonder if they use this to test the close in weapon systems. But collision with the vessel will be an issue so they will have to fire the missile atleast 100 m off the vessel