The Indian Air Force has triumphantly conducted the test launch of a new surface-to-air ballistic missile over the skies of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The missile, dubbed Crystal Maze 2, also affectionately known as 'Rocks', or 'Popeye' in Israel, struck its target with precision and deadly speed.
For this missile testing, the Air Force employed its most lethal fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. The Andaman and Nicobar was selected for its strategic location, since it houses bases for all three branches of the military. This Israeli missile is being manufactured in India under the 'Make in India' initiative.
The revamped Crystal Maze 2 missile boasts a striking range of 250 kilometers, differentiating it from its predecessor. It's a potent stand-off range air-to-surface ballistic missile capable of locking onto and neutralizing even mobile targets. Moreover, it can destroy long-range radars and air defense systems of the enemy.
Source: aajtak
Discover the formidable features of Crystal Maze 2...
This long-range ballistic missile weighs around 1360 kilograms and is 15 feet in length, with a diameter of 21 inches and a wing span of 6.6 feet. It soars through the sky powered by a single-stage solid rocket engine.
The missile can be equipped with a warhead weighing up to 340 kilograms capable of causing blast fragmentation, essentially shredding the target upon impact. It can also be outfitted with a penetrating 360-kilogram warhead to obliterate reinforced bunkers.
Source: aajtak
The lethal combination of the Crystal Maze missile system and the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet renders a force to be reckoned with. The Sukhoi is 72 feet long with a wingspan of 48.3 feet and stands 20.10 feet tall. It has an empty weight of 18,400 KG and can reach a top speed of 2120 km/h with a range of 3000 km, extendable to 8000 km with mid-air refueling. This mighty jet is capable of soaring up to 57,000 feet.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is armed with a 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon capable of discharging 150 rounds per minute, effectively neutralizing enemy aircraft, drones, or helicopters. It comes with 12 hardpoints for mounting an array of weaponry, including four types of rockets, various missiles, and up to 10 different bombs, or any combination thereof.
With provisions for multiple racks, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI can be armed with up to 14 weapons, supporting a total weight of 8130 KG. This fighter jet can also be armed with the formidable BrahMos missiles, further augmenting its defensive capability.
