The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully conducted flight trials of the first-of-its-kind Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur on February 25, 2025. Launched from an Indian Naval Seaking helicopter, the missile demonstrated its precision strike capability against ship targets.
The trial validated the missile’s Man-in-Loop feature, enabling in-flight retargeting. It successfully struck a small ship target in sea-skimming mode at maximum range. The missile employs an Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red Seeker for terminal guidance and features a high-bandwidth, two-way data link that transmits live seeker images to the pilot.
During the test, the missile was launched in Bearing-Only Lock-on After Launch mode, scanning multiple targets before initially locking onto a large ship. In the terminal phase, the pilot redirected it to a smaller hidden target, achieving a pinpoint strike.
The NASM-SR is equipped with an Indigenous Fiber Optic Gyroscope-based INS, Radio Altimeter for mid-course guidance, Electro-Mechanical Actuators for aerodynamic and jet vane control, and a PCB warhead. It uses a solid-propellant system with an in-line ejectable booster and a long-burn sustainer. The trials met all mission objectives.
Developed by DRDO labs, including Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, and Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, the missile is now in production through Development cum Production Partners, MSMEs, start-ups, and other industry collaborators.
