BALASORE (Odisha): In its efforts to have a full-fledged and multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence system, India on Sunday successfully test-fired indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming ballistic missile, from a test range off Odisha coast.
“The test conducted to validate various parameters of the interceptor in flight mode has been successful,” Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) sources said.
The interceptor engaged a target which was a naval version of Prithvi missile launched from a ship anchored inside Bay of Bengal, taking up the trajectory of the “hostile ballistic missile”.
The target missile was launched at about 11:15am and the interceptor, an Advanced Air Defence missile positioned on the Abdul Kalam island (Wheeler Island), roared through its trajectory to destroy the “hostile missile” in mid-air after getting signals from tracking radars, the sources said.
“The ‘kill’ effect of the interceptor was ascertained by analysing data from multiple tracking sources,” a DRDO scientist said.
The interceptor is a 7.5-metre-long single-stage solid rocket-propelled guided missile equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator, the sources said.
The interceptor had its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities and sophisticated radars, they added.
By arrangement with the Times of India
Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2016
