Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs)

shiphone

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more gibberish providing a PSLV pic in the MIRV thread PSLV is not being MIRV'd AGNI is
Plesase...so oblivious?

It is more or less the same. MIRV's development originated from satellite launches
LETHALFORCE ↑
PPT means nothing.
----------------------------------------------
I'm afraid you have to wait for the development of Agni6 to Achieve your claimed MIRV ability...
we won't see any multi warhead ability on Agni5...Technically speaking, I'm afraid Agni5(a 3rd stage added Agni3 missile indeed) is just a symbolic meaning project or tech demo...
Agni5--a 50 tons(48 tons for Agni 3) ,3 stage missile could only deliver a 1.35 tons warhead(2-2.5 tons for Agni 3) to 5000KM away(3000KM , Agni3 )...
Less payload and more fuel--- it's a typical and simple way for Missile to extend ranges...
the key problem of both Agni3 and 5 is that the first stage and third stage(in agni5 case only) are both under power and inefficiency. I thought indian scientist were working on it. with a new solid propellant rocket motor, the next Agni model would impove the thrust-weight ratio and Warhead delivery efficiency

BTW, news about Agni6 are coming...Let's wait and see what this missile could achieve and indian MIRV development as well.
 
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Broccoli

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You will understand the maturity of the project on the Indian side, when you take into consideration, the algorithm used to put multiple satellites precisely into orbit.
Question is that does India have miniaturized nuclear warheads to put on a missile? This has nothing to do with satellites. Unless India is planning to fire satellites on orbit when enemy is dropping nukes on Delhi, but i'm not sure what would be point of that.

This is what reentry vehicle looks like. This goes boom.


This is what satellite looks like. This does not go boom.
 

Yusuf

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Question is that does India have miniaturized nuclear warheads to put on a missile? This has nothing to do with satellites. Unless India is planning to fire satellites on orbit when enemy is dropping nukes on Delhi, but i'm not sure what would be point of that.

This is what reentry vehicle looks like. This goes boom.


This is what satellite looks like. This does not go boom.
No we don't have miniaturized nukes. We are just testing missiles after missiles for the fun of it. India doesn't even have any nukes.
 

LETHALFORCE

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India & MIRV Technology ~ INDIAN DEFENSE NEWS


India & MIRV Technology




All these discussions have one basic premise and that is: one missile would deliver one nuclear warhead. India's nuclear triad: a delivery system for nuclear missile from an aerial platform, ship/land based platform or a submarine also essentially caters for one nuclear warhead per one missile launch. However, all this could change and the debate on 'quantifying' nuclear deterrence would have to take an additional parameter into consideration in near future and that is India's MIRV (multiple independently targetable

re-entry vehicles) capabilities. India's Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is proposing to develop a new strategic weapon technology called MIRV.



MIRV technology is not a new technology. Rather it is a technology of the 1960s and was first developed by the US, followed by USSR. MIRV is a set of nuclear weapons carried on a single missile (intercontinental or submarine launched ballistic missile). This technology allows striking several targets in a single launch. During the launch the main rocket of this system pushes the set of warheads up in the atmosphere. Each warhead strikes a target separately. The launch of such missile constitutes firing a missile having multiple stages. During its ballistic path every stage gets separated at a predetermined time after the launch. Along with every stage one or more warheads get fired. A four stage missile could fire eight to ten warheads on the targets. For a standard launch normally 60 seconds after the launch the first stage separates and other two or three stages separate roughly with an interval of 60 seconds each.



The post boost vehicle which separates from the missile prepares for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. During all these maneuvers, warheads get fired after a gap of few seconds at pre-identified targets. The exact technology of firing sequence and how it actually happens has, for obvious reasons, always been kept a secret by states possessing this technology.

For better understanding, parallels could be drawn from the multiple satellite launches undertaken by few states with a single launch vehicle. There have been cases where around eight to ten satellites have been launched in one go. The major difference is that these satellites are positioned in different orbits in space while in case of MIRV the warheads re-enter the earth's atmosphere and fire on the target. The system is designed in such a fashion that the damage caused by several small warheads could be much more than that caused by a single warhead.




There are reports that now India's premier defence research organization DRDO is validating technologies towards testing MIRV. According to DRDO officials, the platform for re-entry vehicles would be dissimilar from their earlier successful designs used in Agni series of missiles. It appears that they are testing a more modern technology.

Another challenge for the Indian scientists would be to design and develop a guiding system with a high degree of accuracy. Some are of the opinion that MIRV technology need not be viewed only with a nuclear backdrop and even conventional warheads could be placed onboard of such missile. It also needs to be noted that India is yet to prove its ICBM capabilities and is expected to test 5,000-km-range Agni-V missile shortly.

MIRV testing has received a significant amount of criticism too. This technology is known for reducing the impact of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreement (SALT). SALT talks about limiting the number of missiles but with MIRV the issue of number of missiles becomes irrelevant since a single missile can carry many warheads and cause significant destruction. Also, this technology reduces the importance of a missile defence shield. This is because such systems are capable of addressing only one missile threat at a time.
Possession of MIRV technology is expected to boost India's defence preparedness. DRDO's willingness to invest in this technology clearly indicates that India's missile programme has matured considerably. Coming years would see greater Indian investment in micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS), nano-sensors, nano-materials and advanced information technology tools.
Such investments would be essential for creating reliable and robust but highly accurate systems like MIRV. This technology would certainly boost India's nuclear deterrence capabilities. It also needs to be appreciated that the technologies developed for MIRV would find direct or indirect applicability in various other fields of defence too.


THE PROOF of INDIAN CAPABILITY:

First, India's progress in launch vehicle technology is evident in the following areas: First, the launch capacity of India's launch vehicles has increased. India began to develop launch vehicles in 1963 and made substantial progress in launch vehicle technology in the 1980s. Its launch vehicle technology matured in the 1990s. Later, India improved its PSLV launcher to enhance its launch capacity. Today, it is developing a more powerful launch vehicle, GSLV-MK3, which can deliver a payload of 4 tons to the geostationary transfer orbit and a payload of 10 tons to the low earth orbit. It will develop a cryogenic upper stage for its GSLV launcher and accelerate its research on air-breathing engines and reusable launch vehicles. Reusable launch vehicles, which can help reduce the costs of space transportation, will further increase India's launch capacity.


Second, India is a player in the international commercial launch market. It became the world's fifth commercial launch service provider when it put an Italian satellite into space with its PSLV launcher in April 2007. Its GSLV-MK1 launcher, on which it takes only $15,000-$16,000 to send 1 kg of payload to the geostationary transfer orbit, is competitive in the international market. The ISRO said India would take 10 percent of the international commercial launch market in the next five years due to its stable performance, multi-satellite launch capacity and low launch costs.
Third, India has gained an initial command of some basic technologies of the multiple independently targeted reentry vehicle (MIRV). India put a cluster of 10 satellites into orbit on a PLSV launcher in April, becoming the fifth country to be able to launch more than one satellite on a single launch vehicle after the United States, Russia, the European Space Agency and China.

Multi-satellite launch technology and MIRV technology share some similarities, and a mastery of the former can pave the way for the latter. India is expected to gain a complete command of MIRV technology in 15 to 20 years. This technology will enable it to use a single launched missile to strike several targets.

Fourth, India has forged ahead with its research on intercontinental missiles. India now possesses short- and medium-range ballistic missiles and is developing long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Indian defense experts said it would not be difficult to convert PSLV launchers to intercontinental ballistic missiles. India has test-fired its Surya missile, whose range is close to an intercontinental missile. Its Ministry of Defense also has disclosed that the country is speeding up research on intercontinental missiles. All these moves provide evidence to India's improving intercontinental missile technology.


VK Saraswat, DRDO's Chief Controller of Missiles and Strategic Systems, told Business Standard in May 2008 that DRDO is working on a 5,000kme range Agni-5 missile, with multiple warheads (MIRVs) that can maneuver and send out decoys to confuse enemy anti-missile defenses.

In October 2008, ASL Director Avinash Chander told Business Standard:

"We have made major progress on the MIRVs in the last two years."

MIRV technology is very similar to the multiple satellite launch technology that ISRO has mastered and repeatedly demonstrated using its PSLV launcher. However, warhead separation requires a higher degree of accuracy than satellite separation. MIRV is effective only when accuracy of the individual warheads is high, allowing relatively small warheads to be targeted at widely dispersed targets.

MIRVed missiles deployed on nuclear submarines represent a potent second strike capability in support of a no first use nuclear doctrine like the one embraced by India.
 

LETHALFORCE

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India & MIRV Technology ~ INDIAN DEFENSE NEWS


India & MIRV Technology




All these discussions have one basic premise and that is: one missile would deliver one nuclear warhead. India's nuclear triad: a delivery system for nuclear missile from an aerial platform, ship/land based platform or a submarine also essentially caters for one nuclear warhead per one missile launch. However, all this could change and the debate on 'quantifying' nuclear deterrence would have to take an additional parameter into consideration in near future and that is India's MIRV (multiple independently targetable

re-entry vehicles) capabilities. India's Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is proposing to develop a new strategic weapon technology called MIRV.



MIRV technology is not a new technology. Rather it is a technology of the 1960s and was first developed by the US, followed by USSR. MIRV is a set of nuclear weapons carried on a single missile (intercontinental or submarine launched ballistic missile). This technology allows striking several targets in a single launch. During the launch the main rocket of this system pushes the set of warheads up in the atmosphere. Each warhead strikes a target separately. The launch of such missile constitutes firing a missile having multiple stages. During its ballistic path every stage gets separated at a predetermined time after the launch. Along with every stage one or more warheads get fired. A four stage missile could fire eight to ten warheads on the targets. For a standard launch normally 60 seconds after the launch the first stage separates and other two or three stages separate roughly with an interval of 60 seconds each.



The post boost vehicle which separates from the missile prepares for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. During all these maneuvers, warheads get fired after a gap of few seconds at pre-identified targets. The exact technology of firing sequence and how it actually happens has, for obvious reasons, always been kept a secret by states possessing this technology.

For better understanding, parallels could be drawn from the multiple satellite launches undertaken by few states with a single launch vehicle. There have been cases where around eight to ten satellites have been launched in one go. The major difference is that these satellites are positioned in different orbits in space while in case of MIRV the warheads re-enter the earth's atmosphere and fire on the target. The system is designed in such a fashion that the damage caused by several small warheads could be much more than that caused by a single warhead.




There are reports that now India's premier defence research organization DRDO is validating technologies towards testing MIRV. According to DRDO officials, the platform for re-entry vehicles would be dissimilar from their earlier successful designs used in Agni series of missiles. It appears that they are testing a more modern technology.

Another challenge for the Indian scientists would be to design and develop a guiding system with a high degree of accuracy. Some are of the opinion that MIRV technology need not be viewed only with a nuclear backdrop and even conventional warheads could be placed onboard of such missile. It also needs to be noted that India is yet to prove its ICBM capabilities and is expected to test 5,000-km-range Agni-V missile shortly.

MIRV testing has received a significant amount of criticism too. This technology is known for reducing the impact of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreement (SALT). SALT talks about limiting the number of missiles but with MIRV the issue of number of missiles becomes irrelevant since a single missile can carry many warheads and cause significant destruction. Also, this technology reduces the importance of a missile defence shield. This is because such systems are capable of addressing only one missile threat at a time.
Possession of MIRV technology is expected to boost India's defence preparedness. DRDO's willingness to invest in this technology clearly indicates that India's missile programme has matured considerably. Coming years would see greater Indian investment in micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS), nano-sensors, nano-materials and advanced information technology tools.
Such investments would be essential for creating reliable and robust but highly accurate systems like MIRV. This technology would certainly boost India's nuclear deterrence capabilities. It also needs to be appreciated that the technologies developed for MIRV would find direct or indirect applicability in various other fields of defence too.


THE PROOF of INDIAN CAPABILITY:

First, India's progress in launch vehicle technology is evident in the following areas: First, the launch capacity of India's launch vehicles has increased. India began to develop launch vehicles in 1963 and made substantial progress in launch vehicle technology in the 1980s. Its launch vehicle technology matured in the 1990s. Later, India improved its PSLV launcher to enhance its launch capacity. Today, it is developing a more powerful launch vehicle, GSLV-MK3, which can deliver a payload of 4 tons to the geostationary transfer orbit and a payload of 10 tons to the low earth orbit. It will develop a cryogenic upper stage for its GSLV launcher and accelerate its research on air-breathing engines and reusable launch vehicles. Reusable launch vehicles, which can help reduce the costs of space transportation, will further increase India's launch capacity.


Second, India is a player in the international commercial launch market. It became the world's fifth commercial launch service provider when it put an Italian satellite into space with its PSLV launcher in April 2007. Its GSLV-MK1 launcher, on which it takes only $15,000-$16,000 to send 1 kg of payload to the geostationary transfer orbit, is competitive in the international market. The ISRO said India would take 10 percent of the international commercial launch market in the next five years due to its stable performance, multi-satellite launch capacity and low launch costs.
Third, India has gained an initial command of some basic technologies of the multiple independently targeted reentry vehicle (MIRV). India put a cluster of 10 satellites into orbit on a PLSV launcher in April, becoming the fifth country to be able to launch more than one satellite on a single launch vehicle after the United States, Russia, the European Space Agency and China.

Multi-satellite launch technology and MIRV technology share some similarities, and a mastery of the former can pave the way for the latter. India is expected to gain a complete command of MIRV technology in 15 to 20 years. This technology will enable it to use a single launched missile to strike several targets.

Fourth, India has forged ahead with its research on intercontinental missiles. India now possesses short- and medium-range ballistic missiles and is developing long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Indian defense experts said it would not be difficult to convert PSLV launchers to intercontinental ballistic missiles. India has test-fired its Surya missile, whose range is close to an intercontinental missile. Its Ministry of Defense also has disclosed that the country is speeding up research on intercontinental missiles. All these moves provide evidence to India's improving intercontinental missile technology.


VK Saraswat, DRDO's Chief Controller of Missiles and Strategic Systems, told Business Standard in May 2008 that DRDO is working on a 5,000kme range Agni-5 missile, with multiple warheads (MIRVs) that can maneuver and send out decoys to confuse enemy anti-missile defenses.

In October 2008, ASL Director Avinash Chander told Business Standard:

"We have made major progress on the MIRVs in the last two years."

MIRV technology is very similar to the multiple satellite launch technology that ISRO has mastered and repeatedly demonstrated using its PSLV launcher. However, warhead separation requires a higher degree of accuracy than satellite separation. MIRV is effective only when accuracy of the individual warheads is high, allowing relatively small warheads to be targeted at widely dispersed targets.

MIRVed missiles deployed on nuclear submarines represent a potent second strike capability in support of a no first use nuclear doctrine like the one embraced by India.
 

sam919

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This is first time that the Agni-VI capability is confirmed by india high ranking military official- Lt General(RETD) P.C.KATOCH
(on Page 8)
 

sam919

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

Nobody can be familiar with Agni-VI than Lt General(RETD) P.C.KATOCH, so this is the end of argument on whether India has the capability of MIRV. Only four countries in the planet possess this kind of capability, india, USA, China, and Russia.
 

shiphone

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

sigh...when did the indian test happen? have it been done?
in the latest test, the Agni5 got a dummy warhead only...even none of Agni had a test with a real warhead.just nuclear capable as claimed.

a big 'will' as usual


the only four is USA, Russia, France and China...UK imported Trident from USA, although the warhead is from British itself.

French M51 missile, a typical multi warhead nose cone
 
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The Fox

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

you never knew chinese Might test the missile with nuke warhead in it............
 

shiphone

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

1958/8/1,Operation Hardtack-Teak,USA
1961/9/10,Operation Volga,SU
1961/9/12,Operation Roza,SU
1961/10/8,Operation Shkval,SU
1962/5/6,Operation Dominic-Frigate Bird,USA
1962/5/11,Operation Swordfish,USA
1962/8/22,Operation Shkval,SU
1962/9/8,Operation Tyulpan,SU
1962/11/1,Operation Kingfish,USA
1962/11/4,Operation Tightrope,USA

Russia ,USA have done these much more times than other three nations...I'm afraid you have to open your eyes and mind to learn the world outside india...
India did a brave job in 1998 ,and GOI refused the nuclear test ban treaty...India will do the same thing to test and prove the design by indian scientist. Lab job is important, but real test is another thing...when the development is finished, GOI would choose another right chance to test the real nuclear warhead tech...

-----------------------------
1966年10月27日9时,东风二号核导弹点火升空,9分14秒后核弹头在距发射场894公里之外的罗布泊弹着区靶心上空569米的高度爆炸。
in china case, the first such test happend almost 50 years ago.

DongFeng 2 missile(single stage, 1300 KM range, Payload ability 1500 kg)
1966 OCT 27 ,09:00 , a DF2 was launched and the carried atomic bomb warhead was delivered 894 km away and exploded at a altitude of 569 meters...explosion equivalent: 20K tons TNT
 

A chauhan

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

^^ The tests you are talking about are almost 50 years old, that was a "primitive" era of nuclear weapons. It doesn't mean that we need to do real warhead tests in this age.
 

ice berg

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

"Real" warheads are only required when you need to verify the design. Once it is done, you dont need them in every test. There is no such thing as primitive or modern era. You need to know if you design is gonna work or not.

For instance NK is still trying to verify the designs. so far unsuccessful.
 

sayareakd

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

when we will fire it at you, you guys can be verify it, if it explode it works and if it done work you guys will get our unexplored nuke. Why worry so much about our unverified nukes.
 

ice berg

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

when we will fire it at you, you guys can be verify it, if it explode it works and if it done work you guys will get our unexplored nuke. Why worry so much about our unverified nukes.
You need to grow up and stop treating any comments as a challenge. Seriously, how old are you?

My comment was to answer why you dont need real warheads in every test.

May I suggest you read it carefully before you usual " nuke this and nuke that tirade"?
 

sayareakd

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

You need to grow up and stop treating any comments as a challenge. Seriously, how old are you?

My comment was to answer why you dont need real warheads in every test.

May I suggest you read it carefully before you usual " nuke this and nuke that tirade"?
you dont get it, if we test missile with live nuke, which we will love to with thermo nuke, you guys will be shouting on the top of your voice this is not fair and bla bla.

So far our planners and those who have responsible for our nukes dont insisted that we should test with live nuke.

Plus it will send bad example where every one start testing nuke and earth will be unnecessary polluted.

If you dont understand why you make such type of comments in first place.
 

U Sun Dar

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

sigh...when did the indian test happen? have it been done?
in the latest test, the Agni5 got a dummy warhead only...even none of Agni had a test with a real warhead.just nuclear capable as claimed.

a big 'will' as usual


the only four is USA, Russia, France and China...UK imported Trident from USA, although the warhead is from British itself.

French M51 missile, a typical multi warhead nose cone
Something burning....
 

ice berg

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Re: Agni-VI propel India into the club of MIRV with US, China, and Rus

you dont get it, if we test missile with live nuke, which we will love to with thermo nuke, you guys will be shouting on the top of your voice this is not fair and bla bla.

Of course I dont get your point. I am talking about testing with real warheads in general. You are the one turning it into a pissing contest that you are so fond of with your constant infantile nuke this and nuke that tirade
So far our planners and those who have responsible for our nukes dont insisted that we should test with live nuke.

Face palm, that is my point, You dont need live nukes cause you already got the a successful design. Last time in 98
Plus it will send bad example where every one start testing nuke and earth will be unnecessary polluted.

If you dont understand why you make such type of comments in first place.
The last sentence is even more confusing than your usual sentences. Keep up your mental masturbation of India vs China.
 

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