Dhanush Missile | Surface-to-Surface | Ship-to-Ship | Indian Defence Forces | Indian Missile | Missile
Dhanush is a variant of the surface-to-surface or ship-to-ship Prithvi III missile, which has been developed for the Indian Navy. It is capable of carrying both conventional as well as nuclear warheads with pay-load capacity of 500 kg-1000 kg and can strike targets in the range of 350 km. Dhanush is a system consisting of a stabilization platform and the missile. It is a customized version of the Prithvi and is certified for sea worthiness. Dhanush has to be launched from a hydraulically stabilized launch pad. Its low range acts against it and thus it is seen as a weapon either to be used to destroy an aircraft carrier or an enemy port. The missile has been tested from surface ships of the navy many times.
In 2000 the first Dhanush missile was tested from a patrol vessel. This missile is believed to be similar to the SS-150, but equipped for launching off the deck of two different configurations of the Sukanya-class patrol vessel: the Subhadra and the Suvarna.
According to most reports, the initial launch was a failure. Since that time, the missile program has launched about seven different test missiles.
Most of these launches were successful including tests in December 2009 and March 2010. The Press Information Bureau of the Indian Government described development on the Dhanush missile in May 2010 as complete.
The exact dimensions and performance of the Dhanush missile program are not well known. Jane’s Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis estimates that the length is 8.56 m, with a body diameter of 1.0 to 1.1 m, and a launch weight of 4,000 to 5,600 kg. The payload is presumed to be 500 to 1000 kg, with various warhead options including HE, submunitions, FAE, or chemical. It is powered by a single-stage liquid propellant and guided by an inertial system or GPS. The range is estimated in between 150 and 400 km, with an accuracy of 50 m CEP. Some sources suggest the accuracy is 25 m CEP.
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