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MPATGM

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Man portable anti-tank guided missile
MPATGM tested on 11 January 2022
TypeAnti-tank guided missile
Place of originIndia
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Organisation
Designed2015
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
MassMissile: 14.50 kg (32.0 lb)
Command Launch Unit (CLU): 14.25 kg (31.4 lb)[1]
Length1,300 mm (4 ft 3 in)[1]
Diameter120 mm (4.7 in)[1]
Crew2
Effective firing range200 m (0.20 km) - 4,000 m (4.0 km)[2]
SightsDigital sight with laser designator
WarheadTandem-charge HEAT
Blast yieldPenetration:
660 mm of RHA + ERA
710 mm of RHA[3]
EngineDual-thrust rocket with blast tube ejection motor[4]
PropellantSolid fuel
Guidance
system
Mid-wave infrared direct drive[5]
Launch
platform
Launch tube, tripod-mount

The MPATGM or man portable anti-tank guided missile,[6] is an Indian third generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) derived from India's Nag ATGM. It is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) [1][7][8]

Design

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The MPATGM is a low weight, long cylindrical missile with two groups of four radial fins, larger ones at the middle, and smaller ones at the tail.[8] It is fitted with one high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shaped charge warhead.[7] The missile has a length of about 130 cm and a diameter of about 12 cm with a collapsible tripod, and launch tube of aluminum and carbon fiber to reduce weight.[1][9] It has a weight of 14.5 kg, with its command launch unit (CLU) weighing 14.25 kg which combines a laser designator with digital all-weather sight.[1] Minimum range is 200 to 300 m; maximum range is 4 km.[10]

The MPATGM is equipped with an advanced dual-mode imaging infrared homing (IIR) sensor with integrated avionics for day and night operations.[11][12] With both direct and top attack capabilities, the missile fires in lock-on before launch mode.[13][14] It reportedly shares many similarities with ATGMs such as America's FGM-148 Javelin[15] and Israel's Spike.[16]

Development

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DRDO started work on a man-portable version of the Nag missile in 2015.[17] The Ministry of Defence (MoD) sanctioned the official development of the MPATGM on 27 January 2015 with probable completion date around 26 July 2018 at a cost of ₹73.46 crore.[18]

On 20 December 2017, India cancelled a major deal for acquiring the Israeli Spike (ATGM) in favour of the DRDO MPATGM, after deciding that no technology transfer was needed to develop the MPATGM.[15] However, India reauthorized the deal in January 2018 during a visit of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India.[19] This deal was cancelled again in June 2019 after DRDO promised to deliver the MPATGM by 2021.[20] However, the Indian Army bought a limited number of Spike (ATGM) to cater for their immediate needs until the MPATGM is ready for induction.[16] MPATGM user trials were planned to be complete by 2020 but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21] On induction, the MPATGM will replace second generation MILAN and 9M113 Konkurs ATGMs with the infantry, parachute, and special forces.

In collaboration with Bharat Dynamics, the Indian defense startup Tonbo Imaging is developing a lightweight infrared seeker for MPATGM that does not require a cryogenic compressor. The seeker uses artificial intelligence-based image processing and real-time computing to assist the missile in orienting itself toward the most vulnerable area of a target.[22]

Production facility

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The MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics at a facility located in Bhanoor, Telangana. This facility was inaugurated on 29 September 2018.[7][23]

Testing

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  • Test 1 – On 15 September 2018, DRDO conducted the first trial of the MPATGM; it was successful. On 16 September 2018, this was followed by another successful trial.[6][13]
  • Test 2 – On 13 March 2019, DRDO successfully completed guided flight trials (GFTs) of the MPATGM at Rajasthan desert. It proved the top attack mode, at a range of 2,500 m. On 14 March 2019, another successful test occurred.[24][25]
  • Test 3 – On 11 September 2019, the missile was tested again. A man portable tripod launcher was used in the test. The target of the test was a dummy tank, which was hit via top-attack.[26]
  • Test 4 – After a gap of one year due to COVID-19 lockdown in India, on 21 July 2021, DRDO successfully flight tested the MPATGM on a target mimicking a tank, using a thermal sight to prove the minimum range using direct attack at 200–300 meters. The test was to validate missile in-flight stability and deployment of guidance mechanism within short distance. With this test, the MPATGM development project is now nearer completion. During this test, the missile used a newly developed light-weight state of the art miniaturized version of the IIR seeker.[18][27]
  • Test 5 – On 11 January 2022, DRDO successfully flight tested MPATGM in final deliverable configuration. The test was to prove consistent performance at minimum range. It already completed a similar successful test for maximum range. The missile used a miniaturized IIR seeker with advanced avionics for on-board control and guidance. The system is now ready to enter serial production.[28] For this test, the Indian Army demanded that the missile be effective and accurate at 200–300 m, while DRDO was looking for a minimum distance of 400–500 m.[10] Contemporary ATGMs such as Spike-LR have a similar effective minimum range of 200 m.[29]
  • Test 6 – In 2023, flights trials of MPATGM were conducted for a range of 2.5 km at National Open Air Range (NOAR), Kurnool.[30]
  • Test 7 – At the Pokhran Test Range, DRDO successfully completed a number of field evaluation tests on 13 April 2024. The MPATGM missile, the launcher unit, the target acquisition system, and the fire control unit were all part of the test system. Trials for both tandem warhead penetration and warhead flight were conducted in the presence of a user team. This test will now lead to 'Final User Evaluation Trials' and eventual induction into the Indian Army.[31][32]
  • Test 8 – The warhead flight trials have been successfully conducted on 13 August 2024 at Pokhran Field Firing Range. The joint Indian Army-DRDO team assessed the performance using a range of flight configurations and operating factors. The efficiency in defeating contemporary armor-protection has been demonstrated by successful penetration trials of tandem warhead system.[33][34]
[edit]
  • Maiden test flight.
    Maiden test flight.
  • Top-attack ability and tripod launcher validation test.
    Top-attack ability and tripod launcher validation test.
  • Final deliverable configuration test.
  • Calibration test for target at minimum range.
  • Target hit at short distance. Verification of in-flight stability and instant guidance activation.

See also

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Related development
Missiles of comparable role and configuration

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Dhingra, Jayesh (22 February 2019). "Aero India 2019: DRDO details short-range MPATGM". Jane's Missiles & Rockets. Bangalore: IHS Jane's 360. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  2. ^ "India successfully tests man-portable anti-tank guided missile: All you need to know about it". Firstpost. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  3. ^ Kumar, Arun (Col. Retd.). "Development of Anti-Tank Guided Missile". Q Tech Synergy. Defence ProAc Biz News. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Defence Research & Development Organisation. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  5. ^ Kajal, Kapil (13 February 2023). "Aero India 2023: DRDO plans lightweight MPATGM". Janes. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Second Flight Test of MPATGM Successful". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  7. ^ a b c Siddiqui, Huma (1 October 2018). "MPATGM: Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile production facility opened at Bharat Dynamics Ltd". The Financial Express. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  8. ^ a b Geetanath, V. (14 March 2019). "Anti-tank missile developed by DRDO successfully fired". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  9. ^ "The Indian DRDO Has A Top Attack Missile In The Works". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2019-09-12. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  10. ^ a b Shukla, Ajai (12 January 2022). "DRDO test-fires indigenous anti-tank missile". Business Standard. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. ^ Somasekar, M. (14 March 2019). "DRDO test fires successfully Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile". Business Line. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  12. ^ Kumar, Abhijeet (13 August 2024). "Watch: Indigenous portable anti-tank missile successfully tested by DRDO". Business Standard. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  13. ^ a b Gady, Franz-Stefan (16 September 2018). "India's DRDO Test Fires Indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  14. ^ Kajal, Kapil (13 February 2023). "Aero India 2023: DRDO plans lightweight MPATGM". Janes. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b "India scraps mega Israeli deal for anti-tank missiles in favor of DRDO product" (PDF). Defence Research and Development Organisation. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  16. ^ a b Pandit, Rajat (4 October 2019). "Army inducts Israeli 'tank killers' till DRDO develops indigenous ones". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  17. ^ Udoshi, Partha Shukla & Rahul (2022-01-13). "India tests manportable anti-tank guided missile". www.janes.com. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  18. ^ a b Shukla, Ajai (2021-07-22). "DRDO successfully test-flies indigenously developed 'man-portable ATGM'". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  19. ^ Gady, Franz-Stefan (June 2019). "Report: India Scraps Israel Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Deal (Again)". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  20. ^ Ranjan, Amitav (2019-06-24). "India scraps Israel anti-tank missile deal after DRDO says it will deliver". The Indian Express. New Delhi. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  21. ^ Krishnan M., Anantha (14 February 2020). "Interview: Youngsters can power India into a defence technology leader: Dr Satheesh Reddy". OnManorama. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  22. ^ Velayanikal, Malavika (2021-02-15). "Guided missiles homing in with Indian deep tech". Mint. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  23. ^ PTI (1 October 2018). "Production facility for man-portable anti-tank missiles opened". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  24. ^ "Twin Success for Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  25. ^ "Anti-tank guided missile test-fired successfully". The Economic Times. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  26. ^ "DRDO successfully tests indigenous anti-tank missile". The Hindu. 2019-09-11. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
  27. ^ Banerjea, Aparna (21 July 2021). "DRDO successfully flight tests home-grown man-portable anti-tank guided missile". Mint. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  28. ^ Sharma, Ravi (11 January 2022). "DRDO successfully flight tests final deliverable configuration of man portable anti-tank guided missile". Frontline. The Publishing. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  29. ^ "Spike-LR multi-purpose missile system". Missilery.info. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  30. ^ "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE – YEAR END REVIEW 2023". Press Information Bureau. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  31. ^ "DRDO successfully conductd MPATGM weapon system developmental trials at PFFR in Rajasthan". The Times of India. 2024-04-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  32. ^ "DRDO & Indian Army conduct successful trials of indigenous Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile Weapon System". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  33. ^ "Watch: DRDO, Army Successfully Test Portable Anti Tank Missile System". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  34. ^ "DRDO, Army test indigenous anti-tank guided missile in Raj". The Times of India. 2024-08-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
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