Engineering:MPATGM

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Short description: Anti-tank guided missile
Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile
DRDO flight tests MPATGM in the ranges of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh on September 11, 2019.jpg
MPATGM tested on 11 September 2019
TypeAnti-tank guided missile
Place of originIndia
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Organisation
Designed2005
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
Mass
  • Missile: 14.50 kg (32.0 lb)
  • CLU: 14.25 kg (31.4 lb)[1]
Length1,300 mm (4 ft 3 in)[1]
Diameter120 mm (4.7 in)[1]
Crew2
Effective firing range2,500 m (2.5 km)
SightsDigital sight with laser designator
WarheadTandem-charge HEAT
Blast yieldPenetration: >650 mm on RHA)[2]
EngineDual-thrust rocket with blast tube ejection motor[3]
PropellantSolid fuel
Guidance
system
Imaging infra-red
Launch
platform
Tripod mounted launch tube

The MPATGM,[4] or Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, is an Indian third-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][5][6]

Design

The MPATGM is a low weight, long cylindrical missile with a group of four fins around its mid-section.[6] It is fitted with high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.[5] 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][7] 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 has a range of about 2.5 km.[8]

The MPATGM is equipped with an advanced imaging infrared (IIR) sensor and integrated avionics.[9] The missile has top attack capability.[8] It reportedly share many similarities with systems such as FGM-148 Javelin,[10] and Spike (ATGM).[11]

Development

DRDO started work on a man-portable version of the Nag missile in 2005.[12] 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.[13]

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.[10] However, India reauthorized the deal in January 2018 during a visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India.[14] This deal was cancelled again in June 2019 after DRDO promised to deliver the MPATGM by 2021.[15] However, the Indian Army bought a limited number of Spike (ATGM) to cater for their immediate requirement until the MPATGM is ready for induction.[11] MPATGM user trials were planned for completion by 2020 but postponed due COVID-19 pandemic.[16] 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.[17]

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.[5][18]

Testing

MPATGM tested on September 16, 2018
  • 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.[4][8]
  • 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.[19][20]
  • 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.[21]
  • 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.[13][22]

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". Jane's Missiles & Rockets (Bangalore: IHS Jane's 360). https://www.janes.com/article/86778/aero-india-2019-drdo-details-short-range-mpatgm. Retrieved 2019-07-08. 
  2. ↑ Kumar (Retd.), Col. Arun. "Development of Anti-Tank Guided Missile". Defence ProAc Biz News. https://defproac.com/?p=8377. 
  3. ↑ "Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". Defence Research & Development Organisation. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 9 May 2019. https://www.drdo.gov.in/man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Second Flight Test of MPATGM Successful". 16 September 2018. http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183492. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 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/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 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. 
  7. ↑ "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/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 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/. 
  9. ↑ 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. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "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. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 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. 
  12. ↑ 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. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 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. 
  14. ↑ 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/. 
  15. ↑ 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/. 
  16. ↑ 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. 
  17. ↑ 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. 
  18. ↑ "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. 
  19. ↑ "Twin Success for Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". 14 March 2019. http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=189416. 
  20. ↑ "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. 
  21. ↑ "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. 
  22. ↑ 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. 


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