Agni II

[Rage]

OK. Here we go again: IBN claims the test was successful .


India test fires nuke-capable Agni-II in night trial

Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 20:17, Updated on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 20:31

Balasore (Orissa) : India has successfully conducted its first night-trial of nuclear-capable Agni-II intermediate range ballistic missile from Wheeler island off Orissa coast.

It had been decided to test the nuclear capable Agni-II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) for the first time during night, defence officials had said in Balasore on Sunday.

"Range integration work in Integrated Test Range (ITR) for the proposed trial has been completed and if final check-up in the sub-system of the missile is found flawless, the mission will be taken up tomorrow," the officials had said.

A special 'strategic forces team' raised by the Army conducted the trial with necessary logistic support by various ITR laboratories and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists.

The indigenous weapon is a two-stage solid propelled ballistic missile and has a weight of 17 tonnes and length of 20 metres. It can carry a payload of one tonne over a distance of 2,000 km.

Agni-II was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory along with other DRDO laboratories and integrated with Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Hyderabad with the private sector participating in a big way in its production.

The missile is part of the Agni series which included Agni-I (700 km range) and Agni-III (3,500 km range). Agni-I was already inducted and Agni-III is in the process of induction, the officials added.

The missile was already inducted into the services and the strategic command network is in charge of the missiles operation.


India test fires nuke-capable Agni-II in night trial

 

[Rage]

"A smooth launch", says defence official.

The Hindustan Times:

----

First night trial of Agni-II conducted

First Published: 23:02 IST(23/11/2009)
Last Updated: 23:14 IST(23/11/2009)


India on Monday test-fired its nuclear capable Agni-II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) during night for the first time from the Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast.

The night trial, a major step towards making it fully operational in the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), was conducted from a rail mobile system in the launch complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 7.50 pm, a defence source said soon after the versatile and indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile blasted off from the launch pad.

"It was a smooth launch. Data relating to various parameters of the missions objectives are being analysed," said a defence official who witnessed the test launch.

The 2000-km plus Agni-II has already been inducted into service and today's test was carried out by the SFC of the Indian Army while logistic support was provided by various laboratories and personnel of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), sources said.

On the significance of conducting night trial, a DRDO scientist said since it is a training exercise for the end-users, one should be familiar with the operation in extreme conditions.

The entire trajectory of today's trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and naval ship located near the impact point in the down range of the Bay, the sources said.

Agni-II is a two stages, solid propelled ballistic missile and is 20-meter long. The launch weight of the missile is 17 tonnes.

It is capable of carrying a payload of 1000 kg over a distance of 2000 km.

Agni-II was developed by the Advanced Systems Laboratory along with other DRDO laboratories and integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad.

The missile is part of the Agni series, which includes Agni-I of 700 km range and Agni-III (3,500 km).

Agni-I was already inducted into service while Agni-III is in the process of induction.

The first trial of Agni-II was on April 11, 1999 and the last test was conducted on May 19, 2009 from the Wheeler Island, which was not "fully successful".


First night trial of Agni-II conducted- Hindustan Times

 

[Rage]

On the other hand, the Pioneer says there were "mistakes in the launch":


Agni II testfired at night

PNS | New Delhi
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The first ever night test of the indigenously designed and developed Agni-II missile was conducted at Wheeler Island, Orissa on Monday. The missile can hit a target at a range of more than 2,000 km and is capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads. The missile, 20 metres in length and weighing 17 tonnes, is propelled by solid fuel.

The main aim of this launch, carried out at 7.50 pm, was to familiarise users, including the Army and Navy, with the intricacies of the missile technology in a night launch. The missile was inducted into the Army two years ago and user tests involving Army engineers were conducted on a regular basis.

The user trials entailed the services playing the main role in the preparation and launch of the missile while the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists took the back seat. This was aimed at simulating real situation and giving a chance to the user to fire the missile, sources said here on Monday.

Moreover, the tests were carried out from various platforms, including mobile vehicles to provide speed, they said. The night test was conducted from a mobile launcher, they added.

The DRDO scientists would review the results and performance of the missile and users in the next few days. It would enable the scientists and the Army to learn appropriate lessons and cut out the mistakes in the next launch.


The Pioneer > Online Edition : >> Agni II testfired at night

 

[Emperor]

I myself more likely consider this as a launch of Agni-2AT rather than just A-II.

A-IIAT design was frozen for years and the missile was built long ago.Might be just that DRDO/MOD is hesitating to reveal the exact variant.If it is 2AT, then its a great going for DRDO.2AT has a minimum range of 4000km and can throw a cute TN of 1500kg right away into Chinese heart.And so many strategic missile developments were queued up.

A-IIISL design was frozen and yet we are waiting for the launch date.AIII+ was designed and awaiting launch date.A-V undergoing development and is almost in the final lapse.
Man, DRDL and RCI are hardly sleeping these days.And BDL will be going crazy untill the end of next decade with production lines full busy ,building a variety of strategic and tactical missiles including those of NAG and Akash,Astra. :twizt:

Hahah.... I wonder who would be our next enemy to take the cause for the development of an ICBM:viannen_10:

 

[Quickgun Murugan]

Agni-II missile fails to clear night trial - India - The Times of India

BALASORE: India's nuclear-capable intermediate range Agni-II missile, test-fired for the first time after sunset on Monday, reportedly failed to get the desired results.

The Army test-fired the surface-to-surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) from Wheeler’s Island, Bhadrak district, around 7.50pm.‘‘The liftoff and the first stage separation was smooth. But it faltered just before the second stage separation and behaved erratically, deviating from its coordinated path. Further analysis is on to ascertain the cause,’’ said a source.

The entire trajectory of Monday’s trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and a naval ship.

The launch, originally scheduled in the first week of this month, was deferred due to some technical snags in its pneumatic system. Though the snags were rectified, another glitch surfaced during Monday’s test, leading to the fiasco, the source claimed.

The nuclear capable 2,000-km-plus range missile has a length of 20 meters, a diameter of one meter, weighs 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of around 1,000 kg. It was first tested on April 11, 1999.

The test launch was significant from India's strategic point of view because for the first time since the beginning of DRDO’s missile development programme, a missile was put under trial during night. The user trial was conducted by Army officials while scientists from DRDO were present to provide necessary logistical support.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd have rather preferred if this entire test would have been covert. God knows how many more instances of shame will this DRDO make our people swallow.

 

[mattster]

Has there ever been a successful Agni-2 launch EVER ???

It seems like every test including the last one on May, 2009 have failed.
The news media always says successful but later it comes out that they failed.

It seems that they have problems with the 2nd stage separation all the time.

Anyway.....to put it bluntly - Currently India has nothing more than a couple of hundred kilometer range Prithvi missiles that work.

Its about time that India starts hiring the best brains from IITs and other top schools who usually go abroad to join the DRDO, and pay them well enough to stay, otherwise I dont think anything will change in the future.

 

[Koji]

You might have to dig back to 1999 for a successful AGNI-II launch...

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

You might have to dig back to 1999 for a successful AGNI-II launch...

Mate, before coming up with your own version a little search on Google would definitely help you.

FYI...
•11 April 1999 India successfully test-fired the Agni-II ballistic missile.

•On 17 January 2001 India successfully test-fired an enhanced version of its intermediate-range Agni II ballistic missile.

•On 07 March 2001 the Rajya Sabha was informed that the production of the longer-range Agni II missiles, and the intermediate range missiles, would begin in 2001.

•In April 2002 it was reported that the 2,500km range Agni-II intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) had been inducted into a specially raised missile unit of the Indian army.

•Hyderabad, May 19 2009: Agni-II — the nuclear capable, intermediate range ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km — was test-fired by

Source 1

Source 2

If you want more links I can provide them. I am quoting the same source which have reported the failure of Agni-II last night.

 

[Rage]

Has there ever been a successful Agni-2 launch EVER ???

It seems like every test including the last one on May, 2009 have failed.
The news media always says successful but later it comes out that they failed.

It seems that they have problems with the 2nd stage separation all the time.

Anyway.....to put it bluntly - Currently India has nothing more than a couple of hundred kilometer range Prithvi missiles that work.

Its about time that India starts hiring the best brains from IITs and other top schools who usually go abroad to join the DRDO, and pay them well enough to stay, otherwise I dont think anything will change in the future.

You might have to dig back to 1999 for a successful AGNI-II launch...

Incorrect. All of the articles quoted above will tell you that the problems are not insurmountable.

The last test of the Agni-II, which was first declared by media agencies to be a "success", only to have them recant later following official corroboration that it was not, was followed by another, poorly publicized test a few days later that did indeed "meet all its parameters":

India Conducts Second Ballistic Missile Test In A Month


NEW DELHI (AFP)--India on Friday successfully launched a ballistic missile in the second such trial of the nuclear-capable weapon in a month, the defense ministry said.

The Agni-II missile blasted off from a testing site in eastern India and " achieved all its flight parameters without hitch," a senior ministry official told AFP.

"It was a user trial conducted by the army and defense scientists," he said of the rocket, which the military says is capable of hitting targets deep inside adjoining China.

The test was the second since May 19 when a similar 2,500-kilometer (1,560- mile) range Agni-II was fired from the same site, hitting a pre-designated target in the Bay of Bengal.

The Indian-developed 20-meter-long missile weighs 16 tons and is capable of carrying one ton of conventional or nuclear warheads.

Friday's trial, part of the nation's efforts to build a credible minimum nuclear deterrent, paves the way for the missile's mass production and eventual induction by the Indian army, the official said.

India already has the 3,000-kilometer range Agni-III missile - the longest in the Agni series - which can also carry conventional or nuclear payloads.

Unconfirmed reports suggest India is also building an Agni variant with a range of 5,000 kilometers.

The Agni (Fire) is one of a series being developed by India's Defense Research Development Organization as part of the country's deterrent strategy against China and neighboring Pakistan, which also have nuclear weapons.

Agni-I, first tested in 1993, has a strike range of 1,500 kilometers.

India Conducts Second Ballistic Missile Test In A Month

Other successful tests were conducted on January 17, 2001; January 25, 2002 and August 29, 2004, in addition to the virgin launch on April 11, 1999, that sensei here made a feeble attempt to pass at.

 

[Koji]

Mate, before coming up with your own version a little search on Google would definitely help you.

FYI...
•11 April 1999 India successfully test-fired the Agni-II ballistic missile.

•On 17 January 2001 India successfully test-fired an enhanced version of its intermediate-range Agni II ballistic missile.

•On 07 March 2001 the Rajya Sabha was informed that the production of the longer-range Agni II missiles, and the intermediate range missiles, would begin in 2001.

•In April 2002 it was reported that the 2,500km range Agni-II intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) had been inducted into a specially raised missile unit of the Indian army.

•Hyderabad, May 19 2009: Agni-II — the nuclear capable, intermediate range ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km — was test-fired by

Source 1

Source 2

If you want more links I can provide them. I am quoting the same source which have reported the failure of Agni-II last night.

The May 2009 test was a failure considering that it flew off course almost immediately.

"
Reliable sources at the Wheelers Island said the countdown was normal, liftoff was smooth and then disaster struck as the 2000 kms plus range Agni-II missile instead of traveling on the pre-determined trajectory started wandering midway.
The missile deviated from its path after the first stage separation and was meandering at an angle of 180 degree midway. Though it was coordinated to cover a distance of nearly 2000 km, within just 127 seconds it covered 203 km before plunging into the sea, said the source.
The guidance system can correct the missiles midway path deviation if it behaves erratically at an angle of 40 to 60 degree but not beyond that, said a defence scientist. The disaster might have happened due to design and manufacturing faults, he added.
Similarly on July 9, 2006, the maiden test of Agni-III had failed to achieve the target as technical snags were reported during the separation of the first and the second stage."

AGNI II fails to deliver desired results

Someone said it best...besides the short range Prithi's, the missile program in India has yet to mature and has fielded almost none of the Agni's.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

The May 2009 test was a failure considering that it flew off course almost immediately.

Mate, I will request you to please read What is posted on the thread before replying.
Just check the link provided by Rage (just above your Post.)

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

And I suggest you look at the link I provided as well. Clearly, something must be wrong if the missile is continually being tested for over a decade. And it's not just the AGNI 2 that has proved to be unreliable, but the version 3 has yet to be operational.

Agni- I (range 700km and 1500km), Agni-II (range 2000-2500km) are operational. Agni- III is in the process of being operational. If I am not wrong Agni-III will be test fired in early 2010.

You are quoting Shakal Times (In Indian no body know about this source). I am quoting The Hindu. So which source is more reliable?

Another advice for you. Do provide a source which is reliable.

 

[Rage]

The May 2009 test was a failure considering that it flew off course almost immediately.

"
Reliable sources at the Wheelers Island said the countdown was normal, liftoff was smooth and then disaster struck as the 2000 kms plus range Agni-II missile instead of traveling on the pre-determined trajectory started wandering midway.
The missile deviated from its path after the first stage separation and was meandering at an angle of 180 degree midway. Though it was coordinated to cover a distance of nearly 2000 km, within just 127 seconds it covered 203 km before plunging into the sea, said the source.
The guidance system can correct the missiles midway path deviation if it behaves erratically at an angle of 40 to 60 degree but not beyond that, said a defence scientist. The disaster might have happened due to design and manufacturing faults, he added.
Similarly on July 9, 2006, the maiden test of Agni-III had failed to achieve the target as technical snags were reported during the separation of the first and the second stage."

AGNI II fails to deliver desired results

Someone said it best...besides the short range Prithi's, the missile program in India has yet to mature and has fielded almost none of the Agni's.

Refer to the above son.

To quote someone who said it even better:

"The last test of the Agni-II, which was first declared by media agencies to be a "success", only to have them recant later following official corroboration that it was not, was followed by another, poorly publicized test a few days later that did indeed "meet all its parameters"

Night launches are difficult in terms of preparing the missile launcher for the launch crew. Considering this is our first, and the rumours flying around among the defence community that this was a testing platform for a new, dramatically enhanced accurate navigation system, chances of a failure were not beyond the realm of exclusivity.

The recurring problem, even from your source, seems to be with the secondary stage, when the solid propellant 15CDV6 steel case separates from the booster and technical glitches- either with the flex nozzles for thrust vectoring, or with the vented interstage- cause erratic path deviations in trajectory.

We Indians tend to howl like rabid wolves whenever something goes awry, which is good because it provides a measure of accountability to our political apparatus. But we need to realize that dozens of tests go wrong before we perfect any ballistic system. Given that not too many details are disclosed about their tests, I think many of us would be surprised as to the extent of how many partial successes they've had.

 

[mattster]

And I suggest you look at the link I provided as well. Clearly, something must be wrong if the missile is continually being tested for over a decade. And it's not just the AGNI 2 that has proved to be unreliable, but the version 3 has yet to be operational.
Agni Missile failure bad news for India | Missiles & Bombs News at DefenceTalk

I dont normally agree with Koji, but the man has a point when he says that
"Clearly, something must be wrong if the missile is continually being tested for over a decade"

You mean to say that this missile which was successful in multiple tests that were conducted in the early 2000's, suddenly does not seem to work reliably anymore.

Unless they have added a whole bunch of new enhancements to the missile to warrant a new set of tests - I just dont get it.

There could have been manufacturing, assembly, component reliability, or even testing issues that could have caused a failure like this.

But 10 bloody years should give you enough time to iron out all these issues and create a reliable manufacturing process for this system.

 

[Koji]

Agni- I (range 700km and 1500km), Agni-II (range 2000-2500km) are operational. Agni- III is in the process of being operational. If I am not wrong Agni-III will be test fired in early 2010.

You are quoting Shakal Times (In Indian no body know about this source). I am quoting The Hindu. So which source is more reliable?

Another advice for you. Do provide a source which is reliable.

Oh really? How many AGNI-II's does India CURRENTLY employ?

 

[Rage]

And I suggest you look at the link I provided as well. Clearly, something must be wrong if the missile is continually being tested for over a decade. And it's not just the AGNI 2 that has proved to be unreliable, but the version 3 has yet to be operational.
Agni Missile failure bad news for India | Missiles & Bombs News at DefenceTalk

No worries. Empirically, across the length and breadth of missile development, that is not an aberrant timeframe. Your DF-21 began development in the 1960's, was not completed until 1985-86, and was not deployed until 1991. Even today, the US estimates you have only 60-80 of these missiles, and about 60 launchers.

DF-21 - China Nuclear Forces

Even your much-touted DF-31, traces its origins to the JL-2 SLBM, which entered development in the 1970s, had its first test launch on April 29, 1992, and exploded after launch due to component quality problems. More than 17 years later, about a handful have been deployed:

http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/naic/NASIC2009.pdf

I'm quoting these facts to you because you seem intent on knocking the Agni based on your very limited knowledge, harking infact to a "first successful test" in 1999, like the true sensei you are....not.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Oh really? How many AGNI-II's does India CURRENTLY employ?

Sorry I am not with Ministry of Defense or with Strategic force of the Indian Army. So can not tell you how many Agni-I, Agni-II, Prithvi-I, Prithvi-II, Brahmos block-I is with Indian Army. Also I can not tell you how many Brahmos and Dhanush are with Indian Navy.

 

[Koji]

Sorry I am not with Ministry of Defense or with Strategic force of the Indian Army. So can not tell you how many Agni-I, Agni-II, Prithvi-I, Prithvi-II, Brahmos block-I is with Indian Army. Also I can not tell you how many Brahmos and Dhanush are with Indian Navy.

Let me answer that for you: No Agni II's.

 

[Quickgun Murugan]

Let me answer that for you: No Agni II's.

I can show you some news articles saying Agni II has been inducted and is in service at Indian Army but I wont, because I just don't want to save a$$es in DRDO.

Of all the statements they wanted to show the world about India's missile power, they ended up proving we are night blind. ((((

What next? Prithvi is color blind?

 

[Shredder]

Something's seriously wrong with our missiles, it like there's just a 50-50 chance of any missile in our arsenal working,

And a missile can be launched at any time of a day, DRDO is calling it a damn night test - as if a missiles guidance systems doesn't work at night time,

Can't say I'm surprised, kudos to DRDO :(.