8 Manik engine to go for testing this year for 1,500km range LR-LACM; Ship Launched variant to be developed first

Source : IgMp Bureau

Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) to have 1,500km+ range

DRDO had long ago started Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM), a Technological demonstrator program for the localization of the Subsonic Cruise Missile program that is nearing completion as the missile system has demonstrated successful integration of the locally developed Manik Small Turbo Fan Engine (STFE). Nirbhay which was the predecessor of the ITCM program was tested using Russian NPO Saturn 36MT and inducted in limited numbers.

Preparations are underway to manufacture eight indigenous Manik small turbofan engine this year, so that the trials of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) can start by early 2023, which will have a range in excess of 1,500kms.

The expertise gained in Nirbhay ITCM program, will be transferred to the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) program.

The DRDO has given preference to the development of the Ship borne variant that will be tested from a ground-based launcher initially, which will be followed with integration on a naval warship.

There is no need for fabrication of a new canister module for the LR-LACM as it can be launched from the BrahMos Universal Vertical Launcher Module (UVLM) installed on all frontline warships, thus reducing installation time when it enters production.

The underwing pylon of the BrahMos air launched variant developed for launches from the Su-30, can also be used for launching the air-launched LR-LACM variant, while the truck mounted LR-LACM for the Indian Army along with submarine launched variants are in the pipeline for which more than 20 trials have been planned between 2023 and 2026.