India test-fires `surface-to-air Akash' missile
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Dec 3, IRNA
India-Missile-Akash
Akash, India's surface-to-air missile, was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, 15 kilometers from Balasore, Orissa today, defence sources said.
Aiming a moving target, the missile was fired from a mobile launcher with the exercise being supported by a Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA), the sources said.
The missile was fired at around 11:00 a.m. Mission results were being analyzed. The missile is likely to undergo some more tests, the sources said.
The 5.6-meter-long missile, with a striking range of 25 kilometers, has the ability to carry a 60-kilogram warhead.
Weighing about 700 kilograms, the sophisticated missile used an integral ramjet rocket propulsion system and has a low reaction time.
It operated in conjuction with the indigenously built Rajendra surveillance and engagement radar developed by the Hyderabad-based Electronic Research and Development Establishment (ERDE).
The radar is capable of tracking 64 targets and guides up to 12 missiles simultaneously.
Akash is part of India's ambitious Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) and developed by the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO).
Akash was tested twice on October 3, 2005 in a span of 10 minutes at 12:50 hours and 13:00 hours Indian Standard Time (IST).
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