Jaisalmer: The DRDO-developed, fourth generation, 'fire-and-forget' anti-tank missile 'Nag' will undergo a final round of tests next week at the Pokhran field firing range located at Jaisalmer in the state of Rajasthan. The Nag missile was last tested in July 2010, and it has undergone some rectifications since then.

Confirming the tests, a DRDO spokesman said there are some technical changes and corrections in the launch pad as per army requirements. Reportedly, the army is satisfied with the performance of the Nag.

"The missile is developed by the Defence R&D Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad. The army is confident of the performance of missile. It has budgeted Rs335 crore to complete the project," said a DRDO spokesman.

Once operational, the Nag, will be one of just a handful of "fire-and-forget" missiles, such as the American Javelin, and the Israeli Spike. The Javelin and the Spike are lighter missiles that can be carried by a soldier (man portable).

Heavier and more powerful than these missiles, the Nag is designed to operate from vehicles and helicopters. As per sources, that Nag can hit a target in any climate at any time, whether day or night.

The Nag can operate in ranges of 4-5 km.

A CCD camera allows optical guidance for the system which makes the Nag virtually jam-proof, unlike infra-red seekers of the Javelin and the Spike.

The Nag is visible only during the first one second of flight, when the missile's booster imparts 90% of the momentum; after that, a sustainer maintains the missile's speed, burning a smokeless propellant that is practically invisible. The plume of burning propellants from the tail of most missiles gives away its flight path and makes the missile operator vulnerable.

Nag trials were conducted on 26 December 2008, 3 July 2009 and 3 August 2009. The last tests were conducted in July 2010.

DRDO sources said preparations for the test were complete.