Akash surface-to-air missile test-fired twice

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Oct 3, IRNA
India-Missile-Akash

Akash, India's indigenous surface-to-air missile, was test-fired twice at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea, 15 km from Balasore, today.

The multi-target missile with a striking range of 25 kilometers was directed at an object attached to a pilotless target aircraft (PTA) on both occasions, defence sources said.

The sleek 5.6-meter-long missile, with a launch weight of 700 kg and capability to carry a warhead of 60 kg, blasted off from a mobile launcher at 12:50 p.m.

It was fired at the target for the second time at around 13.00 hours, the sources said.

The test was conducted to prove its consistency during the entire flight, the sources said.

The Army and the Indian Air Force, which would be using the missile, had wanted it to demonstrate consistency during the entire flight.

The sophisticated missile, which uses an integral ramjet rocket propulsion system and has low reaction time, operates in conjunction with the indigenously built Rajendra Surveillance and Engagement Radar being developed by the Hyderabad-based Electronic Research and Development Establishment (ERDE).

The radar is capable of tracking 64 targets and guiding up to 12 missiles simultaneously.

The missile is part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Compared to the US-made "Patriot", the sources said "Akash" has better features. It is totally mobile and can be launched from a battle tank. It had the necessary thrust during its entire test-flight and its propulsion worked till it hit its target.

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