India successfully test fires interceptor missile

BALASORE, ODISHA: India on Monday successfully test-fired it’s indigenously developed interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile, from the Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast reported the Times of India.

Aimed at developing a full-fledged multi-layer Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, the target missile, a modified surface-to-surface ‘Prithvi’, was first lifted off from a mobile launcher at 10:05 am from the launch complex-3 of ITR at Chandipur-on-sea, 15 km from here.

The interceptor, the “AAD” missile at a low altitude, positioned at Wheeler Island, about 70 km across sea from Chandipur,  tracked the target missile a few minutes after it received radar signals and then intercepted it at a definite altitude in mid-air over the sea.

While the test launch of both target and hit missiles were deemed successful from their respective test sites, detailed results, specifically the ‘kill’ effects of the interceptor will be known after all data is analysed by multiple tracking sources.

The interceptor designed for endo-atmospheric condition (up to 30 km altitude) is a seven-metre-long and single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile, equipped with an inertial navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator totally under command by the data up-linked from the sophisticated ground based radars to the interceptor.

Similarly, the interceptor designed for exo-atmospheric condition is a two-stage missile with a maximum interception altitude of 80 km, they said.

The interceptor missile had its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities and its own radars.

This is the fourth time that the DRDO has tested its intercepting missile. The three previous tests were conducted on November 27, 2006, December 6, 2007 and March 6, 2009 from Wheeler Island.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2010.