Close X
Saturday, January 25, 2025
ADVT 
India

India readies for full-fledged test of indigenous ICB

Darpan News Desk IANS, 29 Oct, 2014 07:48 AM
    India is readying for the full-fledged test-firing from a canister of an indigenous long-range missile that carries a one-tonne nuclear warhead and can target cities as far as Beijing.
     
    The previous two launches of the 5,000 km Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with dummy warheads have been from open mobile launchers. The canisterised version has a much longer shelf-life, with the container being made of special steel that absorbs the blast of the takeoff.
     
    "The test will happen by the end of November or early December. It will be another feather in the cap of Indian missile scientists," an official of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that developed the 50-tonne missile told IANS on condition of anonymity.
     
    "We have already successfully fired two dummy missiles, and we are confident that the canister launch will be successful," the official added. The dummy missiles tested were of exact mass and height as the Agni-5, but without the warhead.
     
    According to the official, in the launch, a gas generator inside the canister ejects the missile up to a height of about 30 metres. A motor is then ignited to fire the missile.
     
    As the launch process happens inside a canister, it takes away the need of a jet deflector on the launcher that is otherwise needed for redirecting the high energy exhaust.
     
    The strength of the surface of the launch pad is not a critical factor either, making it possible to launch the missile from anywhere.
     
    In addition to giving the user more flexibility, a canister-based missile offers the option to launch at a very short notice and with less manpower.
     
    "Canister launch provides the missile a quick reaction stop-and-launch system," the official said.
     
    "As the missile is sealed in a canister, there is no impact on the outside environment. This protects the missile, and many pre-checks are not needed, making the launch process shorter," the official added.
     
    The Agni-5 is the most advanced version of the Agni, or Fire, series, part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme that started in the 1960s.
     
    Before this, DRDO scientists successfully conducted fr

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Walk to promote Paralympics in India

    Walk to promote Paralympics in India
    Around a thousand civilians, disabled school children and members of various organisations working for the disabled across India will walk Aug 28...

    Walk to promote Paralympics in India

    Congress, Akalis bag one seat each in Punjab by-poll

    Congress, Akalis bag one seat each in Punjab by-poll
    The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and the opposition Congress Monday won one seat each in the by-election to two assembly seats in Punjab....

    Congress, Akalis bag one seat each in Punjab by-poll

    AAP loses way, deposit in Punjab

    AAP loses way, deposit in Punjab
    When almost the entire country rejected the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the parliamentary elections, Punjab went against the tide and gave the new-born party...

    AAP loses way, deposit in Punjab

    Three die in Ludhiana factory fire

    Three die in Ludhiana factory fire
    At least three people were killed Monday in a big fire that broke out at a wool factory in industrial hub Ludhiana's Shivpuri area, police said....

    Three die in Ludhiana factory fire

    Yuvraj's father and former cricketer Yograj Singh arrested

    Yuvraj's father and former cricketer Yograj Singh arrested
    Former test cricketer Yograj Singh was arrested Monday in Panchkula, adjoining Chandigarh, after being involved in an altercation there....

    Yuvraj's father and former cricketer Yograj Singh arrested

    India will give befitting reply to Pakistan: Amit Shah

    India will give befitting reply to Pakistan: Amit Shah
    India will give a "befitting reply" to the repeated ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan, BJP president Amit Shah said Monday....

    India will give befitting reply to Pakistan: Amit Shah