India successfully flight-tests its long-range Agni-IV ballistic missile
02 Jan 2017
India today successfully flight-tested its Agni-IV long range surface to surface ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 km, once again proving the reliability and efficacy of the weapon system.
The missile was launched from Dr. Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha at 1200 hrs today. All the radars, tracking systems and range stations have tracked and monitored the flight performance. All the mission objectives have been successfully met, an official release stated.
According to news agency reports, Agni-IV, which is about 20 metres tall and weighs 17 tonnes, is capable of hitting a target at a distance of 4,000 km.
The missile was earlier flight-tested from the launch complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) in November.
The launch was spearheaded by India's 'missile woman' Tessy Thomas. This was the fifth trial of the Agni IV missile. This fire-and-forget missile is navigated using a jam proof ring laser gyroscope.
It "met all objectives as monitored and confirmed by the telemetry" and ships located in the down range monitored the "terminal event" which is the explosion of the dummy warhead, a release from the defence ministry said.
India already has a battery of nuclear capable missile like, the Agni series, Prithvi series and the submarine launched ballistic missile.
Agni-IV missile is equipped with 5th generation onboard computer and distributed architecture. It has the latest features to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances, they said.
The most accurate ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (RINS) and supported by highly reliable redundant micro navigation system (MINGS), ensures the vehicle reaches the target within two-digit accuracy.
The re-entry heat shield can withstand temperatures in the range of 4,000 degrees centigrade and makes sure the avionics function normally with inside temperature remaining less than 50 degrees centigrade.
