India successfully test-fires supersonic interceptor missile

India today successfully tested an indigenously developed Advanced Air Defence (AAD) supersonic interceptor missile that is capable of destroying any incoming missile.

In a test conducted from the Chandipur-on-Sea test range in Odisha, the third supersonic interceptor test carried out this year, an incoming ballistic missile target was successfully intercepted, within 30 km altitude of the earth's atmosphere by the interceptor.

"It was a direct hit and grand success," defence sources said after the test launch.

The earlier two tests were conducted on 1 March and 11 February 2017, as part of efforts to have a full-fledged multi-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system.

"Today's test was conducted to validate various parameters of the interceptor in flight mode and it was all success," the sources said.

The target missile - a Prithvi missile- was launched from launch complex 3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.

After getting signals by tracking radars, the interceptor AAD missile, positioned at Abdul Kalam Island - previously known as Wheeler Island -- in the Bay of Bengal, roared through its trajectory to destroy the hostile target missile in mid-air in an endo-atmospheric altitude of less than 30 metres, defence sources said.

The interceptor is a 7.5-meter long single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator, sources said.

DRDO termed the test, a 'brilliant' mission and success.

The test comes just 5 days after the DRDO launched a Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) from the defence base.

The AAD interceptor missile was successfully test fired for the first time from the Launching Complex-III of the ITR at Chandipur in 2006. The DRDO had also successfully carried out its last test on May 2016.

The state-of-the-art interceptor missile has its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities and sophisticated radars.