Missile Programme — Set 6
Defence GK · मिसाइल कार्यक्रम · Questions 51–60 of 160
The Prithvi missiles are all powered by:
Correct Answer: B. Liquid fuel
The Prithvi series missiles (Prithvi I, II, and III/Dhanush) use liquid propellant engines. Liquid fuel offers precise thrust control but requires more preparation time. The move to solid propellant (as seen in Agni-P) is driven by the need for quicker deployment and better field storage.
India's ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) is different from a missile. However, DRDO's missile programme was originally under which division?
Correct Answer: A. DRDL
DRDL (Defence Research and Development Laboratory) in Hyderabad was the primary laboratory for missile development, including all IGMDP missiles. ARDE (Armament Research and Development Establishment) in Pune focuses on conventional weapons and artillery. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam served as director of DRDL.
BrahMos was first tested on which date?
Correct Answer: B. June 12, 2001
BrahMos was first successfully test-fired on June 12, 2001 from the Ship Launch Test Facility at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The test was a major milestone in India's cruise missile development. Since then, BrahMos has been tested hundreds of times in various configurations.
The K-series of submarine-launched missiles (K-4, K-15) is designed to be launched from which class of submarine?
Correct Answer: C. Arihant-class SSBN
The K-series SLBMs (K-15 Sagarika and K-4) are designed to be launched from the Arihant-class SSBN (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine). INS Arihant, the lead ship of the class, was commissioned in 2016. K-15 has a range of 750 km while K-4 has a range of 3,500 km.
What propulsion does the BrahMos missile use?
Correct Answer: B. Solid fuel rocket booster + ramjet sustainer
BrahMos uses a two-stage propulsion system: a solid-propellant rocket booster for initial acceleration and a ramjet engine for sustained cruise flight. The ramjet sustainer engine accelerates BrahMos to its supersonic cruise speed. This combination gives it both the initial thrust and sustained high-speed flight.
The Surya ICBM is a:
Correct Answer: B. Under-development very long range ICBM
Surya ICBM is a speculated/reported under-development very long-range intercontinental ballistic missile programme. Details are not officially confirmed by the Indian government. It is reportedly in the development or planning stage as India's next ICBM beyond the Agni-V/VI family.
Which missile provides air defence to India's aircraft carriers and major warships?
Correct Answer: C. Barak-1 and Barak-8
India's aircraft carriers and major warships are equipped with the Barak-1 (short-range, joint Indo-Israel) and Barak-8/MRSAM (medium-range, joint Indo-Israel) naval surface-to-air missiles. Barak-1 has a range of 10 km while Barak-8 has a range of 70-100 km. These provide layered air defence to the fleet.
India's Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) is developed for:
Correct Answer: B. Air-launched precision strike against airfields
SAAW (Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon) is developed by DRDO for the Indian Air Force to conduct precision strikes against enemy airfields. It can be launched from aircraft at stand-off ranges. SAAW is designed to penetrate hardened aircraft shelters and runways to disable enemy air operations.
The Agni-I missile test firings happen regularly from which location in Odisha?
Correct Answer: C. Abdul Kalam Island (ITR)
Agni missiles including Agni-I user-trials are conducted from Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island), which houses the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off Odisha's coast. The ITR is managed by DRDO and is India's primary missile testing facility in the Bay of Bengal.
Pinaka is India's multi-barrel rocket launcher system. It is developed by:
Correct Answer: B. DRDO (ARDE Pune)
Pinaka is developed by DRDO, specifically by ARDE (Armament Research and Development Establishment) in Pune and HEMRL (High Energy Materials Research Laboratory). It fires 12 rockets in 44 seconds to saturate a target area of approximately 4 km². Pinaka has been upgraded to Pinaka Mark-II with extended range of 60-75 km.