DRDO Floating Test Range
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{short description|Indian ship}}
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{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = | Ship caption = Floating Test Range (FTR) }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name=Floating Test Range (FTR) |Builders= |Operators= DRDO |Designer= DRDO |Class before= |Class after= |Subclasses= |Cost= |In service range= |In commission range= |Total ships building=1 |Total ships planned= |Total ships completed= |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships scrapped= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Missile testing range | Ship tonnage = | Ship displacement = {{Convert|11300|t|LT|0|lk=on}} | Ship length = {{Convert|200|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{Convert|60|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship depth = | Ship hold depth = | Ship decks = | Ship deck clearance = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = | Ship speed = | Ship range = | Ship endurance = | Ship boats = | Ship troops = | Ship complement = | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = Electro-optical missile tracking system, S Band radar, tracking and telemetry systems | Ship EW = | Ship armament = | Ship armour = | Ship notes = }} |
Floating Test Range (FTR) is a ship designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India which will serve as a missile testing range.
Description
= Characteristics =
The Floating Test Range (FTR) is a ship designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation which is expected to serve as a testing range for missiles.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/floating-test-range-for-missile-defence-system/article7622922.ece|title=Floating test range for missile defence system|last=Mallikarjun|first=Y.|date=2015-09-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-10-27|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} It has a displacement of {{Convert|10000|t|LT|0|lk=on}} and a length of {{Convert|200|m|ftin|abbr=on}} with a width of {{Convert|60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-age-weapons-set-to-add-to-india-s-arsenal/story-SUcRAjtwyZRej8Fq0SHSJJ.html|title=India's 1st floating test range ready, ballistic missile defence trials on cards|last=|first=|date=2019-10-27|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026205849/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-age-weapons-set-to-add-to-india-s-arsenal/story-SUcRAjtwyZRej8Fq0SHSJJ.html |archive-date=26 October 2019 |access-date=2019-10-27}} The ship is equipped with an Electro-optical missile tracking system, a S-Band radar, and tracking and telemetry systems. Facilities such as a Launch pad, a Mission control center and a Launch control centre are also present.
The FTR will capable of launching missiles with ranges up to around {{Convert|1500|km|mile|abbr=on}}.
= Purpose =
The FTR will enable DRDO to overcome some of the disadvantages of testing missiles from the Wheeler Island. It will enable testing of missiles at different trajectories and altitudes and various ranges by avoiding landmass and sea-lanes related constraints. Since missile testing from the FTR can be performed in the ocean, minimal safety precautions will be required. This will facilitate faster development of missile projects since advanced warnings and notices to ships and planes would not be required, and will minimise the risk of civilian damage.
The FTR is expected to facilitate the development of the Phase-II of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme.