Updated: Sun, Sep 15 2013. 11 13 AM IST
Balasore, Orissa: India on Sunday conducted a second test flight of its indigenously developed nuclear-capable 'Agni-5' long-range ballistic missile, which has a strike range of more than 5,000 km, from the Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.
The three stage, solid propellant missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 8:50 am, defence sources said.
The surface-to-surface missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne, witnessed an 'auto launch' and detail results of the trial will be known after thorough analyses of all data retrieved from different radars and network systems, they said.
"The sleek missile, within a few seconds of its blast-off from the Island launch pad, roared majestically into a clear sunny sky leaving behind a trail of thin orange and white column of smoke and within seconds it pierced into sky," said an eye-witness to the launch.
Sunday's launch, conducted in the presence of defence scientists and experts, was the second developmental trial of the long range missile while the first test was conducted on 19 April 2012 which was a total success.
The indigenously developed missile 'Agni-5' is capable of striking a range of more than 5,000 km. It is about 17 metre long and 2 metre wide with launch weight of around 50 tonnes.
Unlike other missiles of indigenously built Agni series, the latest one 'Agni-5' is the most advanced version having some new technologies incorporated with it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.
Many new technologies developed indigenously were successfully tested in the first 'Agni-5' trial. The redundant navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation System (MINS) had ensured the missile reach the target point within few metres of accuracy.
The high speed onboard computer and fault tolerant software along with robust and reliable bus guided the missile flawlessly, said a defence official.
In the Agni series, India at present has 'Agni-1' with 700 km range, 'Agni-2' with 2,000 km range, 'Agni-3' and 'Agni-4' with 2,500 km to more than 3,500 km range. After some more trials, 'Agni-5' will be inducted into the services, the sources said. PTI
Nuclear-capable 'Agni-5' successfully test-fired off Orissa coast - Livemint