India on Thursday test-fired two indigenously developed surface-to-air nuclear capable Akash missiles from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea.
BALASORE: After its three successful trials last week, India on Thursday test-fired two indigenously developed surface-to-air nuclear capable Akash missiles from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea, 15 km from here.
The sleek multi-target medium range missiles with a strike range of 25 kms and capable of carrying warheads of 50 kg each were test fired between 1345 hours and 1400 hours from mobile launchers as part of an Air Defence Exercise (ADE), defence sources said.
Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) 'Lakshya' was used as the support system for target in today's trial, they said adding one more trial was expected to be conducted soon to pave the way for induction of Akash into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
With today's test-fire, conducted by scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) jointly with Indian Air Force, the ten-day campaign for intensive trial of Akash that began on December 13 entered its final stage.
After successful trials of interceptor missiles, the test-fires were being carried out to fine-tune the sophisticated Akash, which has undergone several tests earlier as part of the country's integrated guided missile development programme (IGMDP), sources said.
The 700 kg and 5.6-metre-long missile uses an integral 'Ramjet' rocket propulsion system and has a low reaction time, they said. Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the nodal agency which has designed the missile, has already approved the flight consistency of Akash, they said.
As the trials aimed at making the end user, the IAF, familiar with the system, the missiles maintained proper thrust during the entire flight and propulsion worked to perfection allowing them to hit the target as planned, the sources said.
Fuelled by solid propellants, 'Akash' operates in conjunction with the indigenously built 'Rajendra' - a surveillance and engagement radar being developed by Hyderabad-based electronic research and development establishment, they said.
The radar is capable of tracking 64 targets and guide up to 12 missiles simultaneously, they said.
The 'Akash' missile, which is comparable to the US-made 'Patriot', has better features including mobility with capability to be launched from a battle tank too, they said.
Though 'Akash' was initially designed as an anti-aircraft missile, DRDO scientists were presently working to re-configure it as an 'anti-missile' weapon, the sources said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}