INDIA’S LONG RANGE
BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAM ACHIEVES ANOTHER MILESTONE WITH REPEAT LAUNCH OF AGNI
5
DRDO Press Note
India’s Intercontinental
surface to surface ballistic missile Agni 5 capable of delivering nuclear
warhead with high precision, was successfully launched today
(15th September 2013) in
a repeat of spectacular maiden launch last year. A symbol of DRDO’s
technological excellence and India’s strength, the missile took off majestically
at 0850 hrs from DRDO’s Launch Complex at Wheelar’s Island, off the coast of
Odisha, India, flew on a predefined path and reached its destination with
expected precision. The missile, powered by three stage solid rocket motors had
a flawless, spectacular launch in auto mode and followed its entire trajectory
in textbook manner, dropping the three motors at predefined stages into the
ocean. The Ships located in midrange and at the target point tracked the Vehicle
and witnessed the final event.
All the radars and electro-optical systems, ship
based and those based on ground stations along the path monitored the
performance parameters of the Missile and displayed information in real time.
All the systems and subsystems of the missile, such as the launch system,
navigation system, control systems, rocket motors, the re-entry package etc.
performed well. The Navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based
Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro
Navigation System (MINS) ensured the Missile reach the target point within few
meters of accuracy. The high speed onboard computer and fault tolerant software
along with robust and reliable bus guided the Missile
flawlessly.
A major milestone, this
second successful test of Agni 5 has demonstrated the maturity, repeatability
and robustness of the system, paving the way for initiation of productionisation
and subsequent induction. The launch also clears the way for its
canisterisation. The Agni 5 missile, in its operational form is designed to be
stored and launched from the canister, enhancing its storage, operational
readiness, transportability, response time and shelf life.
The Strategic Force Command
team along with its top brass was present during all the operations to get
acquainted with the system and trained.
Raksha Mantri A.K.
Antony congratulated all the Scientists of DRDO and said that “DRDO Scientists
have made the country proud”. National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar
Menon congratulated DRDO Scientists and said that the event is a milestone in
the long range Missile era of India.
Avinash Chander, SA TO
RM and Secretary Department of Defence R&D throughout guided the launch as
well as prelaunch activities. Dr V.G. Sekaran, DG (MSS), C-in-C SFC, Dr
Jayaraman, Director ASL, Dr Satish Reddy, Director RCI, Shri MVKV Prasad,
Director ITR, Sri Guruprasad, Director R&DE Engineers Pune were present
during the launch operations. Sri R.K. Gupta Project Director guided the team
of Scientists and employees of DRDO during the launch
activities.