3.000 km range Agni-II Prime to be tested on 15 November
11 Nov 2011
Missile technologists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are readying for a test-firing of the intermediate range ballistic missile, Agni-II Prime, from Wheeler's Island off the coast of Orissa on 15 November.
The missile is designed to achieve a range of 3,000 km.
The Prime's launch takes place after a series of successful flights of the Shourya, Prithivi-II and Agni-II missiles in the last week of September this year.
This particular test has the scientists on tenterhooks as the maiden launch of Agni-II Prime in December 2010 had failed. The flight ended abruptly after a problem in the control system of the first stage of the missile, which occurred during the lift-off.
The Agni-II is a critical link in the chain for DRDO missile scientists as India's intercontinental ballistic missile, the Agni-V, will derive most of its sub-systems from Agni-II Prime.
The Agni-V would be capable of hitting targets at a distance of 5,000 km.