mkb95
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2015
- Messages
- 1,127
- Reaction score
- -1
- Country
- Location
BALASORE: A series of missile tests have been planned in the next few days from the launching complexes of Integrated Test Range (ITR), a couple of days after the new director of the test facility took charge.
Director Binay Kumar Das is the second Odia to acquire the elevated post after Shaktipada Dash.
The post was vacant after former director MVKV Prasad was selected Director of Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).
Meanwhile, preparation has begun at both the launching complexes of ITR at Chandipur and Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) for test fire of indigenously developed nuclear capable missiles Agni-I, Prithvi-II and an interceptor missile besides flight testing of Lakshya pilotless target aircraft.
While interceptor missile AAD has been scheduled for its 11th developmental test by the Defence Research and Developmental Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday, Agni-I and Prithvi-II missiles are planned to be held later this month.
The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of Indian Army would carry out the user trials of both the missiles.
Flight test of an improved version of indigenously developed endo-atmosphereic interceptor missile would be conducted against an electronic target from the Kalam Island.
A team comprising more than a 100 scientists and technical staff are camping at the launching centre for the mission.
Schedule of Missile Tests
■ AAD scheduled for 11th developmental test by DRDO on Sunday
■ Tests of Agni-I and Prithvi-II missiles are planned to be held later this month
■ Strategic Forces Command of Indian Army would carry out user trials of Agni-I and Prithvi-II missiles
■ Plans on the anvil to deploy anti ballistic missile in New Delhi within a year or two to safeguard the National Capital from hostile attacks
A defence official said, success of the launch will pave the way for its induction in the armed forces. Earlier, of the 10 tests, seven in endo-atmospheric region (below the altitude of 40 km) and three in exo-atmosphere (above an altitude of 80 km), eight have been successful.
“If this test proves successful, the missile would later be fired against an actual target missile, a modified version of Prithvi weapon system,” he said.
On April 6, a test of the indigenously built interceptor missile, dubbed as ‘Ashwin’ had failed as the missile nosedived within a couple of seconds after take off from mobile launcher. No major damage was reported.
Meanwhile, the country is planning to deploy anti ballistic missile (ABM) defence shield in New Delhi within a year or two to safeguard the National Capital from hostile attacks.
Sources said two long range tracking radars (LRTRs), jointly developed by DRDO and an Israeli company having ranges of around 1,000 km have been positioned in New Delhi and they are being integrated into the surveillance network of Indian Air Force (IAF).
Similarly, the SFC is also readying to carry out fresh user trials of 700-km range nuclear capable missile Agni-I and 350-Km range Prithvi-II.
Both the missiles have already been inducted in the armed forces and this will be a limited stock production (LSP) test, for which the missiles have been randomly selected from a bunch of missiles.
