INDIA
SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRES NUCLEAR-CAPABLE AGNI-V
India on Sunday
conducted a second test flight of its indigenously developed nuclear- capable
'Agni-V' long-range ballistic missile, which has a strike range of more than
5000 km, from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.
The three stage, solid propellant missile was
test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-4 of the Integrated
Test Range (ITR) at about 8:50 AM, defence sources said on Sunday (15-09-2013)
The surface-to-surface missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead of more than
one tonne, witnessed an 'auto launch' and detail results of the trial will be
known after thorough analyses of all data retrieved from different radars and
network systems, they said.
"The sleek missile, within a few seconds of its blast-off from the Island
launch pad, roared majestically into a clear sunny sky leaving behind a trail
of thin orange and white column of smoke and within seconds it pierced into
sky," said an eye-witness to the launch.
Sunday’s launch, conducted in the presence of defence scientists and experts,
was the second developmental trial of the long range missile while the first
test was conducted on 19 April, 2012 which was a total success.
The indigenously developed missile Agni-V is capable of striking a range of
more than 5000 km. It is about 17 meter long and 2 metres wide with launch
weight of around 50 tonnes.
Unlike other missiles of indigenously built Agni series, the latest one
'AGNI-V' is the most advanced version having some new technologies incorporated
with it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.
Many new technologies developed indigenously were successfully tested in the
first Agni-V trial.
The redundant
navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial
Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation
System (MINS) had ensured the missile reach the target point within few meters
of accuracy.
The high speed onboard computer and fault tolerant software along with robust and
reliable bus guided the missile flawlessly, said a defence official.
In the Agni series, India at present has Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-2 with
2000 km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2500 km to more than 3500 range.
After some more trials, Agni-V will be inducted
into the services, the sources said.
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