The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile system that works over a long range and can be launched from land, sea, or air. What is meant by supersonic? As the word indicates, it implies something being faster than sound. The speed of sound is approximately 1200 kilometres per hour! Then comes the word “cruise”. Cruise missiles are those which are used for targets on land, especially when the missile needs to travel over a long distance to reach said target. Such a missile “cruises” at near constant speed and not very high up from the ground during its flight towards the target. What is special about the BrahMos missile is that it is the first supersonic cruise missile known to be operational. The BrahMos missile system has been developed to be operable from almost anywhere, be it from a ship or submarine, from land, or an aircraft. The ship-based, land-based, and air-launched versions are currently in service.

There are a few things that make the BrahMos missile system special.

1. The BrahMos missile has a very high kinetic energy once it hits its target. Kinetic energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its motion and speed. As mentioned, the BrahMos missile has a very high cruise speed and hence a lot of kinetic energy. This makes it effective in destroying its target. The BrahMos missile has nine times more kinetic energy than other subsonic (having a speed that is less than the speed of sound) cruise missiles.
2. It operates with a “Fire and Forget” system. The missile automatically carries out different types of flights while on its way to the target, thus reducing work at the launch site.
3. Its high speed means that it reaches its target quicker than other cruise missiles would. The speed of the BrahMos missile is three times more than that of subsonic cruise missiles.
4. It also has a low radar signature. This means that it is less likely to be detected on its way.

India is also developing a new air-launched version of this missile which will be able to hit targets that are as far as 800 kilometres away! An enquiry has also been ordered into the recent misfire, in order to figure out where the error occurred and how it can be avoided in the future.

Sources:

DRDO

Brahmos.com

Britannica

India Today

NDTV

The Wire