Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TP
Context: India successfully conducted the maiden flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha.
About Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS):
• What it is?
• A multi-layered, network-centric air defence system developed by DRDO under Project Sudarshan Chakra. Integrates Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) into a unified command system.
• A multi-layered, network-centric air defence system developed by DRDO under Project Sudarshan Chakra.
• Integrates Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) into a unified command system.
• Developed by: Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
• To provide comprehensive protection for military and national assets (airbases, radar sites, command centres, nuclear and space installations, power plants). To counter modern aerial threats – from high-speed aircraft and cruise missiles to drones, swarm UAVs, and loitering munitions.
• To provide comprehensive protection for military and national assets (airbases, radar sites, command centres, nuclear and space installations, power plants).
• To counter modern aerial threats – from high-speed aircraft and cruise missiles to drones, swarm UAVs, and loitering munitions.
• How it Works?
• Centralised Command & Control Centre (C2C2): Integrates radar + electro-optical sensor feeds to generate a real-time air picture. Threat Allocation: Based on target speed, altitude, and trajectory, C2C2 assigns the most effective weapon. QRSAM (outer layer): Engages fast jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles at 25–30 km range, ~10 km altitude. VSHORADS (middle layer): Infrared-seeker based, effective against low-flying UAVs/helis within 6 km range, 4 km altitude. Directed Energy Weapon (inner layer): High-power laser neutralises drones and loitering munitions at close range; cost-effective with unlimited firing capacity.
• Centralised Command & Control Centre (C2C2): Integrates radar + electro-optical sensor feeds to generate a real-time air picture.
• Threat Allocation: Based on target speed, altitude, and trajectory, C2C2 assigns the most effective weapon. QRSAM (outer layer): Engages fast jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles at 25–30 km range, ~10 km altitude. VSHORADS (middle layer): Infrared-seeker based, effective against low-flying UAVs/helis within 6 km range, 4 km altitude. Directed Energy Weapon (inner layer): High-power laser neutralises drones and loitering munitions at close range; cost-effective with unlimited firing capacity.
• QRSAM (outer layer): Engages fast jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles at 25–30 km range, ~10 km altitude.
• VSHORADS (middle layer): Infrared-seeker based, effective against low-flying UAVs/helis within 6 km range, 4 km altitude.
• Directed Energy Weapon (inner layer): High-power laser neutralises drones and loitering munitions at close range; cost-effective with unlimited firing capacity.
• Features:
• Indigenous design with advanced radars, sensors, and communication systems. Multi-layered shield combining kinetic interceptors (missiles) and non-kinetic weapons (laser). Real-time coordination ensures simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets. Rapid reaction & mobility for deployment in forward areas. Area Defence for high-value facilities against diverse aerial threats.
• Indigenous design with advanced radars, sensors, and communication systems.
• Multi-layered shield combining kinetic interceptors (missiles) and non-kinetic weapons (laser).
• Real-time coordination ensures simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets.
• Rapid reaction & mobility for deployment in forward areas.
• Area Defence for high-value facilities against diverse aerial threats.