Nuclear capable Agni-IV successfully test-fired
Nuclear capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile was successfully test-fired by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
This was overall the fifth test of the Agni IV missile and earlier it had undergone 1 failed and 4 successful tests over the past five years. The last successful test was conducted in December 2014.
Test facts
- The test missile was test fired from a road-mobile launcher from Abdul Kalam Island (formerly known as Wheeler Island) off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal. The test was spearheaded by India’s missile woman Ms. Tessy Thomas.
- The missile has met all the mission parameters and was monitored by all radar stations, telemetry and electro-optical systems along the East Coast during the entire operation.
- During the test, the missile accelerated to a height of about 600 km. While, re-entering the atmosphere the re-entry heat shield of missile with a dummy payload withstood 4000 degree Centigrade temperatures and splashed down near the pre-designated.
About Agni-IV Missile
- Agni-IV is a surface-to-surface missile and is capable of hitting a target at a distance of 4,000 km.
- Missile features: The two-stage solid-propelled missile is about 20 metres tall and weighs 17 tonnes.
- It is equipped with modern and advanced ring laser gyro-based Inertial Navigation system (RINS).
- The missile is supported by highly reliable redundant micro navigation system (MINGS) which gives it two-digit accuracy.
- It is also equipped with 5th generation onboard computer with a distributed architecture.
Agni Missile Series
SFC already has inducted three Agni series strategic missiles which gives India an effective deterrence capability. Inducted missiles are Agni-I (700 km), Agni-II (2,000 km) and Agni-III (3,000 km). Currently, Agni-IV (4,000 km) and Agni-V (5,000 km) are undergoing developmental and user trials for their induction.
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Month: Current Affairs - November, 2015