Operation Sindoor:
Reports indicate that during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force deployed SCALP cruise missiles from Rafale fighter jets to conduct precision strikes on terror infrastructure located deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Overview of the SCALP Missile
- Known in the UK as Storm Shadow, the SCALP is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile intended for deep-penetration strikes.
- The missile is designed to neutralize high-value, fortified, or stationary targets with conventional warheads.
- Its name, Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée, highlights its autonomous long-range targeting capability.
- It is the result of a collaborative effort between France and the United Kingdom, and is actively used by several countries, including India, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Technical Features of the SCALP
- Range: Approximately 500 kilometers, enabling deep strike capabilities beyond enemy air defenses.
- Weight: Around 1,300 kg, with a 450 kg warhead capable of penetrating reinforced structures.
- Dimensions: The missile is about five meters in length with a three-meter wingspan.
- Speed and Flight Path: Travels at subsonic speeds (Mach 0.8) and maintains low-altitude flight to evade radar detection using terrain-hugging navigation.
- Guidance System: Combines GPS/INS navigation with infrared homing for final targeting; it uses preloaded target imagery to enhance strike accuracy and reduce collateral damage.
- Operational Flexibility: Built for stealth and precision, the SCALP can perform effectively under all weather conditions.
- Launch Platform in India: The missile is integrated with the Rafale multirole combat aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force, providing it with a strategic edge in long-range missions.