Context:
Indigenously designed and developed heavy-weight torpedo (HWT) Varunastra was recently successfully test-fired with a live warhead against an undersea target by the Indian Navy.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Varunastra
- Features of Varunastra
- Guidance and Technology
About Varunastra:
- Varunastra is an anti-submarine torpedo designed and developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Vizag, India.
- It is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
- The torpedo is ship-launched, heavy-weight, and electrically-propelled, specifically designed to target quiet submarines in both deep and shallow waters, even in intense counter-measures environments.
Features of Varunastra:
- Length: 7.78 meters (25.5 feet)
- Diameter: 533.4 mm (21.00 in)
- Launch Platforms: Surface ships and submarines capable of firing heavy-weight torpedoes
- Speed: Excess of 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)
- Range: 40 km (25 mi)
- Weight: Approximately 1.5 tonnes
- Warhead: 250 kg (550 lb) high-explosive
- Maximum Operating Depth: 600 meters (2,000 ft)
- Long-range capability with multi-maneuvering capabilities
Guidance and Technology:
- Varunastra employs an advanced guidance system that includes active-passive acoustic homing, wire guidance, and GPS/NavIC satellite guidance.
- It features conformal array transducers, allowing it to have a wider viewing angle compared to most conventional torpedoes.
- The torpedo utilizes an advanced autonomous guidance algorithm with low drift navigational aids. • It is equipped with an insensitive warhead suitable for various combat scenarios.
- Varunastra also incorporates a GPS-based locating aid.
-Source: The Hindu
