Agni-V long-range missile completes another successful test-firing

31 Jan 2015

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India today successfully test-fired its longest-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Agni-V, which has a strike range of over 5,000 km, from the Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.

The three stage, solid propellant missile, which is about 17 meters long, 2 metres wide and has a launch weight of around 50 tonnes, was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 8.06 hours.

This is the second canister-based firing of the missile, which can carry a warhead of over one tonne and this brings it a step closer to deployment with the Indian Army's missile forces command.

"The Inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), witnessed a flawless 'auto launch' and detailed results will be known after all data retrieved from different radars and network systems", agency reports quoted project chief M V K V Prasad as saying.

"The missile, witnessed a flawless 'auto launch' and detailed results will be known after all data retrieved from different radars and network systems."

Today's  launch was the third developmental trial of the long range missile. The first test was conducted on 19 April 2012 and the second test on 15 September, 2013 from the same base.

The latest AGNI-V is most advanced missile having some new technologies incorporated in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine, Prasad said.

"Lot of new technologies developed indigenously were successfully tested in the first Agni-V trial. The 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 an official.

The current Agni series comprises the Agni-I with 700 km range, Agni-II with 2,000 km range, Agni-III and Agni-IV with 2,500 km to over 3,500 range. Agni-V will be inducted into the services after a few more trials.

Incidentally, the successful launch of Agni-V coincided the demitting of office by DRDO director-general Avinash Chander, who said the missile was now in a "deliverable configuration".

On his last day in office, he said he was feeling "elated and happy on this accomplishment".

"I am going, leaving behind a dynamic young team that can lead India to greater heights. India will now be autonomous in missile capability," Dr Chander added.

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