Agni-IV was launched on 2
nd Jan 2016. This comes after India tested Agni-V the country's longest
range nuclear capable missile.
India has a series of nuclear-capable missiles like Prithvi series, Agni series and the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile.
Agni-IV is a nuclear-capable missile with a range of 4,000 km while Agni-V has a range of 5,000 km.
Both missiles can cover most parts of China.
Agni-IV missile is 20m tall and weighs 17 tons.
It was launched from the integrated test range at Abdul Kalam Island or Wheeler Island.
This was the sixth trial of the Agni-IV missile.
The previous test was conducted on Nov 9 2015.
The fire and forget missile is navigated using a jam proof ring laser gyroscope. This enables avioncs to function with temperatures below 50 degree centigrade inside.
Agni-IV also has a 5
th generation on board computer and distributed architecture.
It has the latest feature to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances.
Sophisticated surface-to-surface missile has modern avionics to provide high reliability level.
The vehicle reaches the target within 2 digit accuracy.
The indigenously developed surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile is a two stage weapon system.
Agni I, II and III as well as Prithvi has been in an arsenal of armed forces, giving them a reach of over 3,000 kms and providing the country effective deterrence capability.
Missile posses submarine launch capability as well.
The missile can be fired from locations deep in the Indian hinterland making it tough for enemies to track and destroy it.
