New Delhi: India Monday successfully test fired its nuclear-capable strategic ballistic missile Agni-IV, capable of hitting a target at a distance of 4,000kms, from a test range off the Odisha coast as part of a user trial by the armed forces.
Supported by a mobile launcher, the sleek missile was flight tested from the launch complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, at about 0945 hours, defence sources said.
The indigenously developed surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile is a two-stage weapon system. It is 20 meters long and weighs 17 tones. The trial was conducted by Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the army, according to Press Trust of India (PTI).
"The sophisticated surface-to-surface missile is equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide high level of reliability," sources in Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said.
Agni-IV missile is equipped with 5th generation onboard computer and distributed architecture. It has the latest features to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances, they said.
The most accurate ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (RINS) and supported by highly reliable redundant micro navigation system (MINGS), ensures the vehicle reaches the target within two-digit accuracy.
The re-entry heat shield can withstand temperatures in the range of 4000 degrees centigrade and makes sure the avionics function normally with inside temperature remaining less than 50 degrees centigrade.
QNA
