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MPATGM

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Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile
MPATGM launched in final deliverable configuration
MPATGM tested on 11 January 2022
Type Anti-Tank Guided Missile
Place of origin India
Production history
Designer Defence Research and Development Organisation
VEM Technologies
Designed 2005
Manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
Mass
  • Missile: 14.50 kg (32.0 lb)
  • CLU: 14.25 kg (31.4 lb)[1]
Length 1,300 mm (4 ft 3 in)[1]
Diameter 120 mm (4.7 in)[1]
Crew 2
Effective firing range 200 m (0.20 km) - 2,500 m (2.5 km)[2]
Sights Digital Sight with Laser Designator
Warhead Tandem Charge HEAT
Blast yield

Penetration : 660mm of RHA + ERA

710mm of RHA[3]
Engine Dual Thrust Rocket with Blast Tube Ejection Motor[4]
Propellant Solid Fuel
Guidance
system
 Imaging Infra-Red
Launch
platform
 Tripod-Mounted Launch Tube

The MPATGM,[5] or Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, is an Indian 3rd Generation Fire-and-Forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile derived from Nag ATGM. It is currently under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Indian defence contractor VEM Technologies Private Limited.[1][6][7]

Design[]

The MPATGM is a low weight, long cylindrical missile with a group of four fins around its mid-section.[7] It is fitted with high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.[6] The missile has a length of about 1,300 mm and a diameter of about 120 mm with aluminum and carbon fiber launch tube and collapsible tripod to save on weight.[1][8] 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] It can cover a minimum range of 200 to 300 m and a maximum range of 4 km.[9]

The MPATGM is equipped with an advanced imaging infrared (IIR) sensor and integrated avionics.[10] The missile has top attack capability.[11] It reportedly share many similarities with systems such as FGM-148 Javelin,[12] and Spike (ATGM).[13]

Development[]

DRDO started work on a man-portable version of the Nag missile in 2005.[14] Ministry of Defence (MoD) sanctioned the official development of MPATGM on 27 January 2015 with probable completion date around 26 July 2018 at the cost of ₹73.46 crore.[15] 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 transfer of technology was needed for the development of MPATGM.[12] However, India reauthorized the deal in January 2018 during a visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India.[16] This deal was cancelled again in June 2019 after DRDO promised to deliver the MPATGM by 2021.[17] However, the Indian Army bought a limited number of Spike (ATGM) to cater for their immediate requirement until the MPATGM is ready for induction.[13] MPATGM user trials were planned for completion by 2020 but postponed due COVID-19 pandemic.[18] Upon induction, MPATGM will replace the second generation MILAN and 9M113 Konkurs from the infantry, parachute and special forces. Indian defense startup company Tonbo Imaging with Bharat Dynamics is developing a light weight imaging infrared seeker without cryogenic compressor for MPATGM that uses real-time artificial intelligence based image processing unit to help missile reorient itself towards the most vulnerable section of the designated target to increase kill probability.[19]

Production facility[]

The MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited at a facility located in Bhanoor, Telangana. This facility was inaugurated on September 29, 2018.[6][20]

Testing[]

  • 1st Test: On September 15, 2018, DRDO carried out the first trial of the MPATGM successfully. This trial was followed by another successful trial of the MPATGM on September 16, 2018.[5][11]
  • 2nd Test: On March 13, 2019 DRDO successfully completed Guided Flight Trials (GFT) of MPATGM at Rajasthan desert. It established the top attack mode capability covering a distance of 2,500 m. This was followed by another successful test next day on March 14, 2019.[21][22]
  • 3rd Test: The missile was tested again on 11 September 2019. A man portable tripod launcher was used in the test. The target of the test was a dummy tank, which was hit in top attack mode.[23]
  • 4th Test: After a gap of one year due to COVID-19 lock-down, on 21 July, 2021 DRDO successfully flight tested MPATGM on a target mimicking tank using thermal sight to validate the minimum range on direct attack mode at 200-300 meters. The test was to validate the missile in-flight stability and deployment of guidance mechanism within short distance. With this test, the MPATGM development project is now closer to completion. During this test, the missile used a newly developed light-weight state of the art miniaturized version of IIR seeker.[15][24]
  • 5th Test: DRDO on January 11, 2022 successfully flight tested MPATGM in final deliverable configuration. The test was to prove the consistent performance at minimum range. The missile used miniaturized IIR seeker with advanced avionics for on-board control and guidance. MPATGM already completed similar successful test for maximum range. The system is now ready to enter serial production.[25] This test was part of Indian Army's demand of engaging target at 200-300 m with accuracy even though an ATGM needs minimum distance of 400-500 m to stabilize and deploy onboard guidance mechanism.[9] Contemporary ATGMs have much lower minimum ranges, like the Javelin which has an effective minimum range of 65m. [26]

Gallery[]

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See also[]

Related development

Missiles of comparable role and configuration

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Dhingra, Jayesh (22 February 2019). "Aero India 2019: DRDO details short-range MPATGM". Bangalore: IHS Jane's 360. https://www.janes.com/article/86778/aero-india-2019-drdo-details-short-range-mpatgm. 
  2. ↑ "Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India". https://www.drdo.gov.in/man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile. 
  3. ↑ Kumar (Retd.), Col. Arun. "Development of Anti-Tank Guided Missile". Defence ProAc Biz News. https://defproac.com/?p=8377. 
  4. ↑ "Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 9 May 2019. https://www.drdo.gov.in/man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Second Flight Test of MPATGM Successful". 16 September 2018. http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183492. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Siddiqui, Huma (1 October 2018). "MPATGM: Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile production facility opened at Bharat Dynamics Ltd" (in en-US). https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/mpatgm-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile-production-facility-opened-at-bharat-dynamics-ltd/1333247/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Geetanath, V. (14 March 2019). "Anti-tank missile developed by DRDO successfully fired" (in en-IN). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/anti-tank-missile-developed-by-drdo-successfully-fired/article26533308.ece. 
  8. ↑ "The Indian DRDO Has A Top Attack Missile In The Works" (in en). 2019-09-12. https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2019/09/13/the-indian-drdo-has-a-top-attack-missile-in-the-works/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Shukla, Ajai (12 January 2022). "DRDO test-fires indigenous anti-tank missile". Business Standard. https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/drdo-test-fires-indigenous-anti-tank-missile-122011200053_1.html. 
  10. ↑ M, Somasekar. "DRDO test fires successfully Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile" (in en). https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/drdo-test-fires-successfully-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile/article26532753.ece. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Gady, Franz-Stefan (September 16, 2018). "India's DRDO Test Fires Indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile" (in en-US). https://thediplomat.com/2018/09/indias-drdo-test-fires-indigenous-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "India scraps mega Israeli deal for anti-tank missiles in favor of DRDO product". 6 March 2018. https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/npc/2018/march/din-06march2018.pdf. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Pandit, Rajat (October 4, 2019). "Army inducts Israeli 'tank killers' till DRDO develops indigenous ones". The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-inducts-israeli-tank-killers-till-drdo-develops-indigenous-ones/articleshow/71432164.cms. 
  14. ↑ M. Somasekhar (24 March 2005). "Helicopter version of Nag under way". The Hindu Business Line. Hyderabad. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/25/stories/2005032501700400.htm. Retrieved 6 February 2015. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Shukla, Ajai (2021-07-22). "DRDO successfully test-flies indigenously developed 'man-portable ATGM'". Business Standard India. https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/drdo-successfully-test-flies-indigenously-developed-man-portable-atgm-121072201571_1.html. 
  16. ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan. "Report: India Scraps Israel Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Deal (Again)" (in en-US). https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/report-india-scraps-israel-anti-tank-guided-missiles-deal-again/. 
  17. ↑ Ranjan, Amitav (2019-06-24). "India scraps Israel anti-tank missile deal after DRDO says it will deliver" (in en-IN). New Delhi. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-israel-spike-anti-tank-missiles-drdo-5796306/. 
  18. ↑ Krishnan M, Anantha (14 February 2020). "INTERVIEW | Youngsters can power India into a defence technology leader: Dr Satheesh Reddy". https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2020/02/14/youngsters-india-defence-technology-satheessh-reddy.html. 
  19. ↑ Velayanikal, Malavika (2021-02-15). "Guided missiles homing in with Indian deep tech" (in en). https://www.livemint.com/news/business-of-life/guided-missiles-homing-in-with-indian-deep-tech-11613314273154.html. 
  20. ↑ "Production facility for man-portable anti-tank missiles opened". The Economic Times. 1 October 2018. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/production-facility-for-man-portable-anti-tank-missiles-opened/articleshow/66028928.cms. 
  21. ↑ "Twin Success for Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". 14 March 2019. http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=189416. 
  22. ↑ "Anti-tank guided missile test-fired successfully". The Economic Times. 14 March 2019. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-successfully-carries-out-trial-for-mp-atgm/articleshow/68411020.cms. 
  23. ↑ "DRDO successfully tests indigenous anti-tank missile" (in en-IN). The Hindu. 2019-09-11. ISSN 0971-751X. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-successfully-tests-indigenous-anti-tank-missile/article29394941.ece. 
  24. ↑ Banerjea, Aparna (21 July 2021). "DRDO successfully flight tests home-grown man-portable anti-tank guided missile". https://www.livemint.com/news/india/drdo-successfully-flight-tests-home-grown-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile-11626864322755.html. 
  25. ↑ Sharma, Ravi (11 January 2022). "DRDO successfully flight tests final deliverable configuration of man portable anti-tank guided missile". Frontline. https://frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/drdo-successfully-flight-tests-final-deliverable-configuration-of-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile/article38240245.ece. 
  26. ↑ Lockheed Martin Public Release https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/mfc/pc/javelin/mfc-javelin-pc.pdf
Surface-to-surface
  • Indigenous Anti-Submarine missile
    • Air-to-surface
    Surface-to-air
    Air-to-air
  • Notes: (*) Undergoing development
  • (**) Undergoing trials
  • Indian Missile Program
  • Indian Armed Forces

    • External links[]

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