India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful flight tests of very short range missiles on Tuesday. The tests were carried out at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile was launched from a ground-based, man-portable launcher against high-speed unmanned aerial targets, mimicking approaching and receding aircraft. The missile has been designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners. The VSHORADS missile features several novel technologies, including a dual-band IIR seeker, miniaturised reaction control system and integrated avionics. The missile’s propulsion is provided by a dual-thrust solid motor. Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, congratulated the teams associated with the consecutive successful flight tests.