Prithvi May Have Tested New Guidance Systems
NEW DELHI — India's Strategic Forces Command (SFC) test-fired the surface-to-surface, nuclear- capable Prithvi-II missile Aug. 12, which sources said was a test of advanced guidance systems. The 350-kilometer-range Prithvi- II has already been inducted into the Indian Army and the Aug. 12 test-firing was described as routine. However, Defence Ministry sources said the Prithvi-II missile tested advanced guidance systems developed with the help of Israelis. "The launch was part of a regular training exercise of the SFC and was monitored by DRDO scientists," said the official statement of the Indian Ministry of Defense. Prithvi-II was test-fired from India's missile testing range at Chandipur off the coast of the eastern state of Odisha. "It was a perfect text-book launch and the missile was equipped with an advanced, high accuracy, indigenously developed navigation and maneuvering system. The missile achieved all its targeting and technical parameters set out for this launch. The missile trajectory was tracked by DRDO [Defence Research and Develpment Organisation] radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha," added the MoD statement. Prithvi, the first missile developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, can carry a 500-kilogram warhead 1-meter in diameter, and is powered by a liquid propulsion twin engine. It uses advanced inertial guidance with maneuvering trajectory, said an MoD official.
Prithvi May Have Tested New Guidance Systems | Defense News | defensenews.com
