Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO off Odisha coast

Chandipur: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today conducted a successful flight-testing of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur of Balasore district, off the Odisha coast.

During the test, all subsystems performed as per expectation. The missile performance was monitored by several Range Sensors like Radar, Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Telemetry deployed by the ITR at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path. The flight of the missile was also monitored from the Su-30-Mk-I aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The missile followed the desired path using way-point navigation and demonstrated very low-altitude sea-skimming flight. This successful flight test has established the reliable performance of the Indigenous Propulsion System (IPS) developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru.

ITCM is equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and reliable performance. It was developed by the Bengaluru-based DRDO laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) along with a contribution from other laboratories and Indian industries.

The flight testing was witnessed by many senior scientists from various DRDO laboratories along with the representatives from the production partner.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for the successful flight-testing of the ITCM. He stated that the successful development of indigenous long-range subsonic cruise missile, powered by indigenous propulsion, is a major milestone for Indian defence R&D.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat congratulated the entire team of DRDO on the successful ITCM launch.