India successfully tests extended range version of multi barrel rocket launcher system, Pinaka-ER

Pokharan : The Pinaka-ER Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System was successfully tested at Pokharan range. Successful tests of Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER), Area Denial Munitions (ADM) and indigenously developed fuzes have been carried out at various test ranges.

The system is jointly designed by laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

The Pinaka – ER is the upgraded version of the earlier version of Pinaka which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been designed in the light of emerging requirements with advanced technologies enhancing the range.

The DRDO, along with the Army, conducted series of performance evaluation trials of these industry-produced rockets at Field Firing Ranges during the last three days. In these trials, enhanced range Pinaka rockets were test fired at different ranges with various warhead capabilities. All the trial objectives were met satisfactorily.

A number of 24 rockets were fired for different ranges and warhead capabilities to meet the objectives of accuracy and consistency. With this, the initial phase of technology absorption of Pinaka-ER by the Industry Partner has successfully been completed making the Industry Partner ready for series production of the rocket system.

The ARDE, Pune has developed different fuzes for Pinaka rocket for different types of applications. After design validation trials, dynamic performance evaluation of these fuzes have been evaluated with flight testing.