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The NGARM is a 250km class, which will make IAFs Su30 SEAD capability a force to reckon with. PHH seeker comes in high/ low band variants. Even if radar is shut down, mmw terminal seeker will lock on to finish the task. Dual pulse + Mach2 gove it range, speed for quick reaction. https://twitter.com/delhidefence/status/1314503865769709570
The vast majority of PRC SAMs and PAF SAMs are vulnerable to a 250km class missile. Nothing prevents India from extending the concept further via even longer ranged ARMs. The IAF will use these against both FCRs and Surveillance radars.
Typically suppression of AD efforts accompany or precede dedicated air strike packages. Destruction of enemy AD is also a priority. The challenge is in combining the two. In the Gulf Wars and in the Balkan conflicts, the US fired hundreds of AGM88 HARMs with limited benefit.
The reason was as soon as they'd be fired the opponent radar would shut down and relocate. The missile would be wasted. The SEAD effort hence consumed a huge inventory of ARMs and was of limited use with regards to the destruction aspect.
The AGM-88E was born out of those experiences. It combines a dual seeker with the ability to lock on to the target even if it has stopped emitting, once the passive seeker guides it into the general arena. The NGARM is very similar.
The dual pulse motor is clearly a beast. The NGARMs size always made it clear it was not the standard Astra sized unit and reports of the greater range hence appear credible. The second motor can be used to shape trajectory and also add extra speed/range once target reappears.
This is also an example of how @DRDO_India is making modular designs, leveraging prior tech. Their first exposure to mmw seekers was via Nag. The Astra Mk2, MR/LRSAM are dual pulse motors. The onboard avionics will be derived from gear developed for Astra.
The NGARM will be complemented in the SEAD mission via long loiter Harops and Harpies. It's likely going to be used as q quick reaction asset to protect IAF strike formations and preceded by SAAW, long range glide bombs, Brahmos taking out known, fixed installations.
For references including the range, please read: https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-test-fires-rudram-1-its-first-anti-radiation-missile-to-take-down-enemy-radars/story-SYP6qWQOXmZrK7ViSPG54K_amp.html?utm_campaign=fullarticle&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=inshorts
Most importantly it signals the DRDO and Indian industry's firm move into giving our warfighters reach out and hit capability beyond imported weapons which were designed for different operational conditions.
AVM Nambiar @Nambitiger1 and DCAS Sandeep Singh have both mentioned that the Rudram-1 is a member of a family of weapons, each optimized for different target sets. If you wish to understand the IAFs plans no better resource than AM Nambiars article. https://saluteindia.org/military-modernisation-indian-air-force/
These and many more customized weapons are the need of the hour. @DRDO_India should look at invving the pvt sector as a complete integrator so that we get a 2nd line beyond BDL as well. All this beside the IAF day is a huge positive for the force, and for the taxpayers.
The most interesting part is that this sort of system can be used against even airborne threats, particularly large surveillance aircraft i.e. AWACS provided it has a datalink capability. People were excited about the Brahmos being made air to air - well, you have another option.
One need not need a very maneuverable system vs large, lumbering force multipliers like IFR, AEW&CS. Against those classes of targets, a suitably tweaked NGARM class missile with and without the anti-radiation or even more conventional seeker offers multiple possibilities.
In short to summarize, today a NGARM can be fired towards an emitting target, retaining accuracy based on onboard nav., using a terminal seeker to take out a target which has shut down. More seekers might emerge as well as dynamic on the fly retargeting.
DRDO has core modules developed for Astra and other programs. The key aspects will be in repackaging and variant development. The main thing is to ensure constant iterative improvement. A targeting system to cue the NGARM would be useful to add it to aircraft w/o an Indian RWR.
For all IAF supporters, this is a huge positive development. Fingers crossed for more Rudram variants. Devastatingname, and hopefully the weapons live up to the distinction bestowed on them.
One more bit about how these systems drive technology development across a wide arena. A trapeze launcher used for the NGARM. Enables clean separation but expertise will also help when DRDO needs to develop advanced trapeze launchers for launching from within an AMCA bay.
