Defence Milestone: Agni-IV Nuclear Capable Missile Launched Successfully
Defence Milestone: Agni-IV Nuclear Capable Missile Launched Successfully
India has successfully test-fired Agni-IV strategic missile for full strike range of 4,000 km from Odisha Coast’s Wheeler Island on 2nd December, 2014.
Successful Launch
The nuclear weapons capable long range missile in deliverable version was launched for the first time by the Army’s Strategic Forces Command/SFC around 10.15 am on the morning of December 2nd. The missile carried a one tonne dummy warhead, the missile has hit near its pre-designated target point in the Indian Ocean waters with high level of precision and accuracy as two naval ships nearby made a recording of the terminal event.
Thorough Monitoring
From the point where it began to where it ended, the trajectory of the missile plus its other parameters were tracked and monitored through a radar and telemetry stations network as well as electro-optical systems across the East Coast.
The re-entry of the missile’s vehicle heat shield ensured that it could bear the soaring temperatures of greater than 3,000 degrees celsius while entering into the earth’s atmosphere. This missile was also equipped with a very sophisticated Ring Laser Gyros based navigation system and modern avionics provided ease and precision in steering the missile to its target point.
The 2 stage, solid fuelled Agni-IV along with other Agni missiles in the series is the core of the Indian nuclear deterrence programme. This is the fourth successful outing for Agni-IV as three previous flight trails carried out by the DRDO were also successful. This includes November 2011, September 2012 and January 2014.
Following more trials by the Strategic Force Command Group personnel, the missile will be inducted into the Army. This long range, nuclear capable, surface to surface Agni-IV missile is operating from a defence base in Odisha.
"The launch was successful," Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) spokesman Ravi Kumar Gupta told IANS. The 17 tonne Agni-IV missile has state-of-the-art avionics and it is 20 metres tall. it also has a fifth generation On Board Computer. This missile has also been provided with features for guiding and correcting its course in the event of any inflight disturbances. It also has two stages of solid propulsion. It is also equipped with composite rocket motors, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System, Micro Navigation System, Digital Controller System and state-of-the-art technologies, that includes indigenously developed ring laser gyro and composite rocket motor.
Previous Launches
On 15 November, 2011, Agni-IV was launched from the road mobile launcher at 9 am from Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha.
On 19th September, 2012, the missile was again successfully test fired for its full range of 4000 km from Wheeler Island in Odisha Coast.
On 20th January, 2014, the missile was again test fired in the actual weapon and road mobile configuration of the SFA again from Wheeler Island.
Conclusion
This is a positive development for the Indian armed forces, and the defence milestone is a good step forward for DRDO and India’s impressive missile development programme.
