Specifications of Agni 6- Speculated

[Jako]

True, but it does not need to carry that heavy payload because Chinese are ahead in warhead technology. India needs to make heavier & larger missiles with lesser range because they have less sophisticated warheads, and until India develops new nuclear warheads (new tests) it will stay that way.

India states such high payload of missiles to camouflage the range of the missile is a more reasonable justification imo. With a payload of about 600 kg like that of the DF31 range of Agni5 soars likewise.

 

[Broccoli]

India states such high payload of missiles to camouflage the range of the missile is a more reasonable justification imo. With a payload of about 600 kg like that of the DF31 range of Agni5 soars likewise.

Problem with India is that their warhead yield-to-weight ratio is not good enough, and it would be a waste to use Agni V to carry one low yield fission warhead just to get more range. India needs more payload capability simply because boosted fission warheads are larger and less sophisticated than thermonuclear warheads... it's as simple as that.

Of course that does not mean that India cannot have warheads with high yields... fission warheads can make a "big bang", but such weapons eat more plutonium. Here is two French examples.

MR-31 Warhead
The warhead was an pure fission plutonium warhead with a yield of 120 kt and a weight of 700 kg. This is probably the highest yield plutonium fission device ever developed. The warhead was unhardened, it is probably a practical impossibility to harden a large pure fission warhead like this against predetonation effects.

MR-41 Warhead
The MR-41 was France's first boosted fission warhead, and its highest yield non-thermonuclear warhead. The MR-41 was in the stockpile from 1971 to 1979 and armed the MSBS M1 and M2 SLBMs. The initial development of the warhead began in 1963, and a second development stage ran from 1966 to 1971. This design was based on highly enriched uranium boosted with deuterium and tritium. It was tested 15 July 1968 and 3 August 1968. The final design was tested 12 June 1971. It had a surprisingly light weight for a high yield fission bomb, about 700 kg, and had a yield of 500 kt. Fabrication of warhead components began in 1969. The MR-41 went into operational service with the first patrol of Le Redoubtable on 28 January 1972. About 35 warheads were built to support two sets of strategic submarine missiles loads (16 MSBS M1/M2 missiles each for two subs). The MR-41 was replaced by the TN-60, which armed the MSBS M20, between 1977 and 1979.

http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/France/FranceArsenalDev.html

 

[kurup]

I don't think 14m long missile can stand in subs, since more than 8000km range SLBM:
Russia RSM-56 Bulava: 12.1m long, Typhoon class nuclear submarine: 21500tons
US Trident missile D5II：13.42m long, Ohio Class Sub:18750 tons
China JL-2:13m long, 094 type sub:11000tons
France M51:13m long,Le Triomphant sub:12640tons

The Russian operational SLBMs Sineva and Layner actually has a length of 14.8m and 15m resp .

 

[ramakrishna]

Agni-V is an indigenously developed ICBM with a strike range of 5,000km. It has higher reliability, longer shelf-life and reduced maintenance.

 

[kaku1]

Problem with India is that their warhead yield-to-weight ratio is not good enough, and it would be a waste to use Agni V to carry one low yield fission warhead just to get more range. India needs more payload capability simply because boosted fission warheads are larger and less sophisticated than thermonuclear warheads... it's as simple as that.

Of course that does not mean that India cannot have warheads with high yields... fission warheads can make a "big bang", but such weapons eat more plutonium. Here is two French examples.

France's Nuclear Weapons - Development of the French Arsenal

nope bro, that is not correct. The RV Mk.5 ( Maneuverable) which is designed to carry 200kt thermonuclear device is around 500-700 Kg, and Agni-6 going to carry around 2500 Kg (throw-away weight), possible 3-4 MIRV. Thats enough for a deterrence.

India's main problem is in low Isp in missiles compare to western and russians.

 

[IND151]

India states such high payload of missiles to camouflage the range of the missile is a more reasonable justification imo. With a payload of about 600 kg like that of the DF31 range of Agni5 soars likewise.

I believe max range of A 6 is around 6500 KM.

 

[NKVD]

I believe max range of A 6 is around 6500 KM.

Agni-5 Range is around 8000 Max

 

[IND151]

Agni-5 Range is around 8000 Max

I dont believe it, at max it it is 5700-5800 KM.

Reducing paylaod will not increase range by 3,000 KM.

 

[NKVD]

I dont believe it, at max it it is 5700-5800 KM.

Reducing paylaod will not increase range by 3,000 KM.

Actually Looking at the reports from the first test, the splash down was “somewhere” along the southern tip of Africa and Australia.

Southern Tip of Africa is 35° S and Australia is 44°S and Wheeler islands is at 20°N.

To a latitude range near South Africa the total distance traveled is 55° of latitude. I remember learning in geography that every degree of latitude covers 111 kilometers. This would make the distance traveled at about 6100 kms. If we consider the latitude range of southern Australia, total distance traveled is 64°. which puts total distance traveled at 7100 kms. A median of this is 6,600 kms.

Also consider that the DRDO has said that the flight time is about 20 minutes at speeds of about 25,000 kms per hour. Doing the math, it works out to 8,300 kms. Yes it does take some time to reach that speed but still means a total travel of about 8000 kms.

The missile was tested in a depressed trajectory which is not quite an ideal way and is a non-optimal, lower and flatter trajectory which takes less time between launch and impact.

Soon after the first test, the Chinese officially said that they think the range of India’s Agni V is 8000 kms. We have heard about China having monitoring station on Coco Islands as well as monitoring by satellites and sea based radars on their naval assets.

India cut Agni V range from 9000 km to 5000 km under NATO pressure: Chinese media - Economic Times
Agni V can launch mini-satellites too

 

[IND151]

Actually Looking at the reports from the first test, the splash down was “somewhere” along the southern tip of Africa and Australia.

Southern Tip of Africa is 35° S and Australia is 44°S and Wheeler islands is at 20°N.

To a latitude range near South Africa the total distance traveled is 55° of latitude. I remember learning in geography that every degree of latitude covers 111 kilometers. This would make the distance traveled at about 6100 kms. If we consider the latitude range of southern Australia, total distance traveled is 64°. which puts total distance traveled at 7100 kms. A median of this is 6,600 kms.

Also consider that the DRDO has said that the flight time is about 20 minutes at speeds of about 25,000 kms per hour. Doing the math, it works out to 8,300 kms. Yes it does take some time to reach that speed but still means a total travel of about 8000 kms.

The missile was tested in a depressed trajectory which is not quite an ideal way and is a non-optimal, lower and flatter trajectory which takes less time between launch and impact.

Soon after the first test, the Chinese officially said that they think the range of India’s Agni V is 8000 kms. We have heard about China having monitoring station on Coco Islands as well as monitoring by satellites and sea based radars on their naval assets.

@sancho @Capt.Popeye @XiNiX

 

[JohnyD]

another LCA is coming

in that case 4 versions of that LCA are already in service.!.. missed sarcasm

what will be its nick name as agni v was China killer.

how about China Ruler?

 

[kaykay]

Indian RV warheads:
1.Mk-4 - 17 kt FBF( fusion boosted fission), wight- 180 kg.
2. Mk-5 - 50 kt FBF or 200 kt Thermonuclear, weight- 340 kg.
3. Mk-6 - 150 kt FBF, weight - 550 kg.
Strike by even a midget nuke will invite massive response, India warns Pak - TOI Mobile | The Times of India Mobile Site

 

[NKVD]

Indian RV warheads:
1.Mk-4 - 17 kt FBF( fusion boosted fission), wight- 180 kg.
2. Mk-5 - 50 kt FBF or 200 kt Thermonuclear, weight- 340 kg.
3. Mk-6 - 150 kt FBF, weight - 550 kg.
Strike by even a midget nuke will invite massive response, India warns Pak - TOI Mobile | The Times of India Mobile Site

 

[kaykay]

View attachment 191433

Oh sorry, seems I have provided wrong source.
here it is.
Way to a Credible Deterrent » Indian Defence Review

Indian RV warheads:
1.Mk-4 - 17 kt FBF( fusion boosted fission), wight- 180 kg.
2. Mk-5 - 50 kt FBF or 200 kt Thermonuclear, weight- 340 kg.
3. Mk-6 - 150 kt FBF, weight - 550 kg.
Way to a Credible Deterrent » Indian Defence Review

 

[NKVD]

Oh sorry, seems I have provided wrong source.
here it is.
Way to a Credible Deterrent » Indian Defence Review

MK-5 warheads are Enough to carry out Massive Destruction Even in Chinese Block