India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) contractor has developed a prototype of an inclined launcher for the PJ-10 BRAHMOS cruise missile, according to the press department of the company.
The four-cell launcher is intended for the surface combatants of the Indian Navy armed with the BRAHMOS missile. Larsen & Toubro picture.
The QCIL (Quadruple Canisterized Inclined Launcher) four-cell launcher is intended for the surface combatants of the Indian Navy (IN) armed with the BRAHMOS missile. "On May 5, [L&T] has handed over the prototype Quad Launcher [QCIL] to the BrahMos Aerospace company after rigorous trials," the press department said in a statement.
Compared to baseline twin-cell inclined launchers, the QCIL features higher firepower. "[The QCIL] can launch four missiles in a single or salvo mode. The new quadruple launcher is suitable for the surface combatants, which have space constraints to carry a vertical launch system," the press department added.
Sudhir Kumar Mishra, Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace, told the Press Trust of India news agency that the new launcher would allow the ships of the IN to launch up to eight BRAHMOS missiles simultaneously. However, the company has yet to issue orders for the QCIL. Mishra added that 85% of the components of the two-stage BRAHMOs cruise missile, which has a firing range of 292 km, would be assembled in India at an early date.
The serially produced QCIL units will be available for integration with the surface combatants of the IN within 18 months, the press department of L&T added.
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