Q110. What type of missile is the Akash system tested by DRDO off Odisha?
[UIIC Assistant, 6 February 2024, memory-based]
(A) Surface-to-surface
(B) Air-to-air
(C) Anti-tank
(D) Surface-to-air
(E) Air-to-surface
Answer: (D) Surface-to-air
Explanation: Akash is a surface-to-air missile system. It launches from the ground to engage airborne threats using a radar-and-command network. This distinguishes it from ballistic ground-attack or air-to-air missiles. Surface-to-air interception also depends on radar detection, tracking information and coordination between the missile and its ground control system.
Q109. Who is referred to as the Missile Man of India?
[OSSC Vital Statistics Assistant, 11 March 2024, Shift 2]
(A) Vikram Sarabhai
(B) A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
(C) Homi Bhabha
(D) Sam Manekshaw
Answer: (B) A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Explanation: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam coordinated the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, which included major Indian missile projects. His contributions to aerospace and defence research led to the familiar title Missile Man of India.
Q108. An Astra missile was tested from LCA Tejas on 23 August 2023. What type of missile is Astra?
[RPSC RAS Prelims 2023]
(A) Beyond-visual-range surface-to-air
(B) Beyond-visual-range air-to-air
(C) Within-visual-range air-to-air
(D) Within-visual-range surface-to-air
Answer: (B) Beyond-visual-range air-to-air
Explanation: Astra is an indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile designed to attack hostile aircraft beyond direct pilot sight. The Tejas launch demonstrated an important stage in integrating Indian missiles with an indigenous fighter aircraft.
Q107. Which Scorpene-class submarine was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 2023?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 14 May 2023]
(A) INS Karanj
(B) INS Vela
(C) INS Vagir
(D) INS Kalvari
Answer: (C) INS Vagir
Explanation: INS Vagir entered service in January 2023. It is part of the Kalvari-class submarine programme under Project 75, constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders with technology cooperation from France. Submarine construction demands underwater acoustic performance, pressure-hull integrity and reliable propulsion and combat systems.
Q106. HELINA is a:
[Odisha Police SI, Paper II, 26 November 2023]
(A) Fighter aircraft
(B) Air-defence system
(C) Scorpene submarine
(D) Anti-tank missile
Answer: (D) Anti-tank missile
Explanation: HELINA stands for Helicopter-Launched Nag. It is an indigenous anti-tank guided missile intended for helicopter platforms. Its seeker can guide it against armoured targets using engagement modes suited to battlefield conditions. Helicopter launch lets the operator use an airborne vantage point to locate and engage armoured targets.
Q105. What type of radar is India’s SWATHI mobile artillery-locating system?
[UPSSSC VDO re-exam, 26 June 2023, Shift 1]
(A) Surface-search radar
(B) Weapon-locating radar
(C) Coastal surveillance radar
(D) Harbour surveillance radar
Answer: (B) Weapon-locating radar
Explanation: SWATHI is an indigenous weapon-locating radar used to identify firing positions of hostile artillery, mortars and rockets. By tracking projectiles, it supports counter-battery fire and improved battlefield awareness. Counter-battery radars trace an incoming projectile’s trajectory backward to estimate the enemy firing location.
Q104. Which of the following is an Indian surface-to-surface missile?
[SSC CHSL Tier I 2022, held 20 March 2023, Shift 3]
(A) Javelin
(B) AIM-120 AMRAAM
(C) Spike
(D) Agni-V
Answer: (D) Agni-V
Explanation: Agni-V is an Indian long-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile. The other listed weapons are foreign anti-tank or air-to-air missiles, so they do not fit the requested Indian strategic-missile classification. Unlike a cruise missile, a ballistic missile relies chiefly on its momentum and gravity after its initial powered stages.
Q103. Which indigenous aircraft carrier was delivered to the Indian Navy on 28 July 2022?
[SSC CHSL Tier I 2022, held 9 March 2023, Shift 3]
(A) INS Arihant
(B) INS Vikrant
(C) INS Shivaji
(D) INS Vikramaditya
Answer: (B) INS Vikrant
Explanation: INS Vikrant was delivered by Cochin Shipyard in July 2022 and commissioned that September. The carrier was built in India and provides a platform for operating shipborne combat aircraft. Aircraft-carrier design involves aviation facilities, power generation, sensors and complex safety procedures for launching and recovering aircraft.
Q102. Which was the first missile developed under DRDO’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme?
[DRDO STA-B Tier I, 12 November 2022, Shift 1, memory-based]
(A) Agni
(B) Prithvi
(C) Prahaar
(D) Nag
Answer: (B) Prithvi
Explanation: Prithvi was an early successful missile of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. It is a short-range ballistic surface-to-surface weapon, and the programme aimed to establish indigenous capability in several missile categories.
Q101. Pinaka, developed by DRDO, is a:
[DRDO STA-B Tier I, 12 November 2022, Shift 1, memory-based]
(A) Battle tank
(B) Multi-barrel rocket launcher
(C) Anti-tank guided missile
(D) Armoured utility vehicle
Answer: (B) Multi-barrel rocket launcher
Explanation: Pinaka is a truck-mounted multi-barrel rocket-launch system developed in India. It can launch a salvo of artillery rockets to engage area targets and support land-force operations, unlike guided anti-tank missiles. Its technical work is coordinated with the armed forces and defence manufacturers so that laboratory advances can undergo field evaluation.
