Indian Nuclear & Missile Development, News & Discussions
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niteshkjain
New Member
Good News
Link http://in.news.yahoo.com/pti/200804...a-ready-to-export-missiles-to-sh-114a2da.html
India ready to export missiles to shortlisted countries: DRDO
Sun, Apr 6 12:40 PM
Hyderabad, Apr 6 (PTI) India is ready to export missiles to countries whose names are cleared by the government, top DRDO scientist S Prahlada said here disclosing that trade inquiries had been received from at least five nations. "Government, in principle, is in favour of exports of missiles," he said, adding Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is in a position to meet such sale orders.
Though Prahlada did not name the missiles which could be offered in world market but sources said that India could place Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile Brahmos and recently tested surface-to-air Akash for sale. "Countries are looking at Indian products like missile systems and at a recent export exhibition several nations had come and discussed prospects," Prahlada, the Chief Controller (Hqrs) at DRDO told PTI.
Referring to the air-to-air beyond visual range Astra missile, he said the missile would undergo ground testing later this year and would subsequently be integrated with the Sukhoi multi-role fighter by 2009-10. He also said more tests would be undertaken of India's longest range surface-to-surface nuclear capable 3,500 km range Agni III missile.
Claiming that DRDO's missile programme had come of age, Prahlada said user trials of the anti-tank Nag missile would be undertaken next month and it would be offered to the Army for induction by July.
Link http://in.news.yahoo.com/pti/200804...a-ready-to-export-missiles-to-sh-114a2da.html
India ready to export missiles to shortlisted countries: DRDO
Sun, Apr 6 12:40 PM
Hyderabad, Apr 6 (PTI) India is ready to export missiles to countries whose names are cleared by the government, top DRDO scientist S Prahlada said here disclosing that trade inquiries had been received from at least five nations. "Government, in principle, is in favour of exports of missiles," he said, adding Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is in a position to meet such sale orders.
Though Prahlada did not name the missiles which could be offered in world market but sources said that India could place Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile Brahmos and recently tested surface-to-air Akash for sale. "Countries are looking at Indian products like missile systems and at a recent export exhibition several nations had come and discussed prospects," Prahlada, the Chief Controller (Hqrs) at DRDO told PTI.
Referring to the air-to-air beyond visual range Astra missile, he said the missile would undergo ground testing later this year and would subsequently be integrated with the Sukhoi multi-role fighter by 2009-10. He also said more tests would be undertaken of India's longest range surface-to-surface nuclear capable 3,500 km range Agni III missile.
Claiming that DRDO's missile programme had come of age, Prahlada said user trials of the anti-tank Nag missile would be undertaken next month and it would be offered to the Army for induction by July.
niteshkjain
New Member
Check this one
good move indeed, we might see more good news coming soon
Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandipur_test_site_to_get_a_facelift/articleshow/2930189.cms
KOLKATA: India's ballistic missile and weapons testing facility in Orissa's Chandipur is being expanded to thrice its present size and modernised to test indigenously-developed weapons for India's defence forces.
"The test site would be expanded 50 km southward and 50 km into the sea to test home-made tanks, rocket launchers and artillery," Army's spokesperson in Eastern Command, Group Captain R K Das told reporters.
The test site which is now 19.5 km in length along Orissa coast and 3 km in width will not need land acquisition for the expansion as it has been acquired earlier, Das said.
The test site known as Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) is Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) oldest weapons testing facility.
According to Das, the facility would also be modernised. "The ammunition storage and handling systems will also be modernised. Upgraded PXE will be better equipped to test indigeneously-developed tanks and weapons to cater to the future demands of the country's defence forces," Das said.
The trial of Arjun tanks, multi-barrel PINACA rocket launchers, Remotely-delivered Minelet System, Modular Charge System, Enhanced Range Rocket and cargo ammunition are currently being carried out here, the spokesman said.
Other ammunition which are also being tested there include, T-72 ammunition, 155 mm illuminating ammunition, 130 mm HE ammunition, fuses, ordnance for 155, 130 and 120 mm guns, propellant charges, armour plates and Super Rapid Gun Mounting.
good move indeed, we might see more good news coming soon
Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandipur_test_site_to_get_a_facelift/articleshow/2930189.cms
KOLKATA: India's ballistic missile and weapons testing facility in Orissa's Chandipur is being expanded to thrice its present size and modernised to test indigenously-developed weapons for India's defence forces.
"The test site would be expanded 50 km southward and 50 km into the sea to test home-made tanks, rocket launchers and artillery," Army's spokesperson in Eastern Command, Group Captain R K Das told reporters.
The test site which is now 19.5 km in length along Orissa coast and 3 km in width will not need land acquisition for the expansion as it has been acquired earlier, Das said.
The test site known as Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) is Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) oldest weapons testing facility.
According to Das, the facility would also be modernised. "The ammunition storage and handling systems will also be modernised. Upgraded PXE will be better equipped to test indigeneously-developed tanks and weapons to cater to the future demands of the country's defence forces," Das said.
The trial of Arjun tanks, multi-barrel PINACA rocket launchers, Remotely-delivered Minelet System, Modular Charge System, Enhanced Range Rocket and cargo ammunition are currently being carried out here, the spokesman said.
Other ammunition which are also being tested there include, T-72 ammunition, 155 mm illuminating ammunition, 130 mm HE ammunition, fuses, ordnance for 155, 130 and 120 mm guns, propellant charges, armour plates and Super Rapid Gun Mounting.
niteshkjain
New Member
News
Link: http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/apr/07sale.htm
Ready for sale: Akash, Brahmos missiles
India is ready to export missiles to countries whose names are cleared by the government, top DRDO scientist S Prahlada has said, disclosing that trade inquiries have been received from at least five nations.
"Government, in principle, is in favour of exports of missiles," he said, adding Defence Research and Development Organisation is in a position to meet such sale orders.
Though Prahlada did not name the missiles, which could be offered in world market but sources said that India could place Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile Brahmos and recently tested surface-to-air missile Akash for sale.
"Countries are looking at Indian products like missile systems and at a recent export exhibition several nations had come and discussed prospects," Prahlada, the Chief Controller (Hqrs) at DRDO said.
Referring to the air-to-air beyond visual range Astra missile, he said the missile would undergo ground testing later this year and would subsequently be integrated with the Sukhoi multi-role fighter by 2009-10.
He also said India's longest range surface-to-surface nuclear capable 3,500 km range Agni III missile will undergo more tests.
Claiming that DRDO's missile programme had come of age, Prahlada said user trials of the anti-tank Nag missile would be undertaken next month and it would be offered to the Army for induction by July.
DRDO is in preparedness to meet the exports since the missile systems are in production for India's own defence needs and can be delivered whenever these countries ask, Prahalada said.
He dismissed allegations that DRDO had delayed in delivery schedules as 'a charge out of ignorance'.
No doubt there have been delays but in any such complex system in the world for instance surface-to-air missile system the Barak missile from Israel or the Patriot missile from the US took 20 years to develop, the defence scientist said.
"Any complex system requires this much time," he said.
The Brahmos supersonic cruise missile took just five years to develop and Astra perhaps will take about six to seven years, he said.
Prahlada pointed out that during the Information Technology boom DRDO lost its top scientists, which was a major set back to the organisation.
"The post-Pokhran export controls and sanctions also added to the delays," he said.
Link: http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/apr/07sale.htm
Ready for sale: Akash, Brahmos missiles
India is ready to export missiles to countries whose names are cleared by the government, top DRDO scientist S Prahlada has said, disclosing that trade inquiries have been received from at least five nations.
"Government, in principle, is in favour of exports of missiles," he said, adding Defence Research and Development Organisation is in a position to meet such sale orders.
Though Prahlada did not name the missiles, which could be offered in world market but sources said that India could place Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile Brahmos and recently tested surface-to-air missile Akash for sale.
"Countries are looking at Indian products like missile systems and at a recent export exhibition several nations had come and discussed prospects," Prahlada, the Chief Controller (Hqrs) at DRDO said.
Referring to the air-to-air beyond visual range Astra missile, he said the missile would undergo ground testing later this year and would subsequently be integrated with the Sukhoi multi-role fighter by 2009-10.
He also said India's longest range surface-to-surface nuclear capable 3,500 km range Agni III missile will undergo more tests.
Claiming that DRDO's missile programme had come of age, Prahlada said user trials of the anti-tank Nag missile would be undertaken next month and it would be offered to the Army for induction by July.
DRDO is in preparedness to meet the exports since the missile systems are in production for India's own defence needs and can be delivered whenever these countries ask, Prahalada said.
He dismissed allegations that DRDO had delayed in delivery schedules as 'a charge out of ignorance'.
No doubt there have been delays but in any such complex system in the world for instance surface-to-air missile system the Barak missile from Israel or the Patriot missile from the US took 20 years to develop, the defence scientist said.
"Any complex system requires this much time," he said.
The Brahmos supersonic cruise missile took just five years to develop and Astra perhaps will take about six to seven years, he said.
Prahlada pointed out that during the Information Technology boom DRDO lost its top scientists, which was a major set back to the organisation.
"The post-Pokhran export controls and sanctions also added to the delays," he said.
indian bull
Banned Member
AHWR commisioned at BARC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHENNAI: The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) critical facility, a stepping stone for building a 300-MWe AHWR, was commissioned on Monday at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai.
Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Tuesday: “We have an AHWR project [which will be built in the 11th Plan period]. As part of proving the physics design of the AHWR, we have built this critical facility, which went critical last [Monday] night. This is a milestone towards building the AHWR. This facility will help in understanding the physics of the design of the AHWR.”
Power output
Asked about power output from the facility, Dr. Kakodkar said power generation from the facility was not important. “It is extremely low power. It has been built to understand the physics of the design of the AHWR.”
The AHWR would use thorium, “the fuel of the future.” It would be powered by the naturally available thorium and the fissile material, uranium-233. Boiling water would be the coolant and heavy water the moderator. Its design had several innovative features, which would “achieve the conflicting goals of safety and economy.”
The reactor would have no pumps and it would have no moving parts. The site for building the AHWR had not been chosen yet, he said.
Ratan K. Sinha, Director of the Reactor Design and Development Group, BARC, said the AHWR critical facility had “enough flexibility to conduct a wide range of experiments, which will help in validating the reactor physics of the AHWR through computer codes and in generating nuclear data about materials, such as thorium-uranium 233 based fuel, which have not been extensively used in the past.” The critical facility generated only a few watts of power.
According to Mr. Sinha, the critical facility had each and every component of the nuclear core of the AHWR such as fuel, the moderator and so on. It could be operated in different modes with various kinds of fuel and in different configurations of arranging the fuel.
He said:
“In principle, we will use thorium-uranium 233 fuel to simulate the AHWR and the natural uranium fuel to simulate the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors [PWRS]. We have a long plan of doing experiments, using this facility.
“We started with the natural uranium core yesterday [Monday] and we will be adding thorium-based fuel in due course.”
Third stage
The construction of the AHWR in the 11th Plan period (2007-2012) will signal the beginning of the third stage of the country’s nuclear power programme. The first stage is in commercial domain, with 15 PHWRs that use natural uranium as fuel, operating in different parts of the country.
Besides, India has two Boiling Water Reactors at Tarapur, Maharashtra.
The second stage, which envisages the building of Fast Breeder Reactors, has begun with the construction of a 500-MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHENNAI: The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) critical facility, a stepping stone for building a 300-MWe AHWR, was commissioned on Monday at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai.
Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Tuesday: “We have an AHWR project [which will be built in the 11th Plan period]. As part of proving the physics design of the AHWR, we have built this critical facility, which went critical last [Monday] night. This is a milestone towards building the AHWR. This facility will help in understanding the physics of the design of the AHWR.”
Power output
Asked about power output from the facility, Dr. Kakodkar said power generation from the facility was not important. “It is extremely low power. It has been built to understand the physics of the design of the AHWR.”
The AHWR would use thorium, “the fuel of the future.” It would be powered by the naturally available thorium and the fissile material, uranium-233. Boiling water would be the coolant and heavy water the moderator. Its design had several innovative features, which would “achieve the conflicting goals of safety and economy.”
The reactor would have no pumps and it would have no moving parts. The site for building the AHWR had not been chosen yet, he said.
Ratan K. Sinha, Director of the Reactor Design and Development Group, BARC, said the AHWR critical facility had “enough flexibility to conduct a wide range of experiments, which will help in validating the reactor physics of the AHWR through computer codes and in generating nuclear data about materials, such as thorium-uranium 233 based fuel, which have not been extensively used in the past.” The critical facility generated only a few watts of power.
According to Mr. Sinha, the critical facility had each and every component of the nuclear core of the AHWR such as fuel, the moderator and so on. It could be operated in different modes with various kinds of fuel and in different configurations of arranging the fuel.
He said:
“In principle, we will use thorium-uranium 233 fuel to simulate the AHWR and the natural uranium fuel to simulate the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors [PWRS]. We have a long plan of doing experiments, using this facility.
“We started with the natural uranium core yesterday [Monday] and we will be adding thorium-based fuel in due course.”
Third stage
The construction of the AHWR in the 11th Plan period (2007-2012) will signal the beginning of the third stage of the country’s nuclear power programme. The first stage is in commercial domain, with 15 PHWRs that use natural uranium as fuel, operating in different parts of the country.
Besides, India has two Boiling Water Reactors at Tarapur, Maharashtra.
The second stage, which envisages the building of Fast Breeder Reactors, has begun with the construction of a 500-MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu
indian bull
Banned Member
Guys India is operating a Fast Breeder Test Reactor and building a Prototype FBR, India will build build 5 FBRs in a decade. These FBRs breed fissile Pu-239 from U-238 and also burn Thorium to U-233. These FBRs are also called Nuke launderies which burn the fuel in form of Pu-239 but inturn produce more Pu-239 which is ideal for making implosion type nuclear weapons. With the commissioning of PFBR in 2010 India will have the capability to produce >100 nukes per year. Also these FBRs will be kept out of IAEA safeguards so all the weapons grade Pu-239 will be used for weaponisation if a threat arises from the neighbourhood.
the main purpose of the reactor is not to produce fissile material for a nuclear bomb but to produce fissile material for the nuclear power reactors,however there is a possibilty of this fissile material being diverted for nuclear weapons.
indian bull
Banned Member
Well it can be both way as you have answered it. There is no surity about the fissile material produced in the unsafeguarded reactors not to be used for weapons purpose. But what i actually meant is that the fuel can be and would be diverted for weaponisation purpose if a security threat arsises both in immidiate or far future.
niteshkjain
New Member
Link: http://www.hindustantimes.com/story...4680&Headline=‘Delay+Agni+test,+save+Ridleys’
‘Delay Agni test, save Ridleys’
The Orissa forest department has written to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for deferring its plans to test-fire the nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-III missile from the Wheeler Islands off Orissa coast in the last week of April. Such tests, according to the forest officials, can impact mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles in the Gahirmatha beach.
B.K. Patnaik, chief wildlife warden of Orissa told HT: “I wrote to DRDO again on Friday after I came to know from media reports that the Agni-III missile test-firing is being planned in the last week of April. Last month, we had written a letter to the DRDO not to conduct the tests during the turtle-nesting season, but they test-fired the Agni-I missile on March 24. I have now asked the DRDO authorities to postpone the missile test for another three weeks”.
This year, no mass nesting of Olive Ridleys has taken place near the Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district, which is the largest rookery for the species in Asia. The most important nesting sites in Gahirmatha are located on Nasi I and Nasi 2 islands, which are situated very close to Wheeler Islands from where the Agni missiles are test-fired. En masse turtle nesting occurs every year from January to mid-May.
Environmental groups claim that the missile tests are having an adverse impact on the mass nesting of turtles on the Gahirmatha beach in particular and along the Orissa coast in general. Jeevan Das, secretary of the Orissa chapter of People For Animals told HT, “The Agni-I test carried out last month has affected the mass nesting of Olive Ridleys at the Gahirmatha beach this time. Without test-firing the missiles in the nesting season, the DRDO can do that in other months.
Hectic preparations take place before a missile launch and the Integrated Test Range remains illuminated in the night. The lights need to be switched off during the nesting season as the Olive Ridleys stay away from the coast because of the illumination”.
B.C. Choudhury, a senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WWI) at Dehradun told HT over phone, “It may not be correct to blame a single agency like DRDO or a single activity like the missile tests for the lack of mass nesting of the Olive Ridleys. Illumination of the test range may have contributed a little bit, but it is not the sole factor. Chronic activities like intensive fishing activities, changes in beach profile and other activities may have affected mass nesting of turtles this time.
Isn't it ridiculous
Please post your own comments with the news & in a proper manner (no oneliners). If its only about sharing the news than people can look at the complete news from the original source or at DT news section. On forum we try to have a proper analysis & discussions for which we believe the thread starter's & news poster's own comments are must. Thank You!
- SABRE
‘Delay Agni test, save Ridleys’
The Orissa forest department has written to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for deferring its plans to test-fire the nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-III missile from the Wheeler Islands off Orissa coast in the last week of April. Such tests, according to the forest officials, can impact mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles in the Gahirmatha beach.
B.K. Patnaik, chief wildlife warden of Orissa told HT: “I wrote to DRDO again on Friday after I came to know from media reports that the Agni-III missile test-firing is being planned in the last week of April. Last month, we had written a letter to the DRDO not to conduct the tests during the turtle-nesting season, but they test-fired the Agni-I missile on March 24. I have now asked the DRDO authorities to postpone the missile test for another three weeks”.
This year, no mass nesting of Olive Ridleys has taken place near the Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district, which is the largest rookery for the species in Asia. The most important nesting sites in Gahirmatha are located on Nasi I and Nasi 2 islands, which are situated very close to Wheeler Islands from where the Agni missiles are test-fired. En masse turtle nesting occurs every year from January to mid-May.
Environmental groups claim that the missile tests are having an adverse impact on the mass nesting of turtles on the Gahirmatha beach in particular and along the Orissa coast in general. Jeevan Das, secretary of the Orissa chapter of People For Animals told HT, “The Agni-I test carried out last month has affected the mass nesting of Olive Ridleys at the Gahirmatha beach this time. Without test-firing the missiles in the nesting season, the DRDO can do that in other months.
Hectic preparations take place before a missile launch and the Integrated Test Range remains illuminated in the night. The lights need to be switched off during the nesting season as the Olive Ridleys stay away from the coast because of the illumination”.
B.C. Choudhury, a senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WWI) at Dehradun told HT over phone, “It may not be correct to blame a single agency like DRDO or a single activity like the missile tests for the lack of mass nesting of the Olive Ridleys. Illumination of the test range may have contributed a little bit, but it is not the sole factor. Chronic activities like intensive fishing activities, changes in beach profile and other activities may have affected mass nesting of turtles this time.
Isn't it ridiculous
Please post your own comments with the news & in a proper manner (no oneliners). If its only about sharing the news than people can look at the complete news from the original source or at DT news section. On forum we try to have a proper analysis & discussions for which we believe the thread starter's & news poster's own comments are must. Thank You!
- SABRE
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niteshkjain
New Member
Are MIRVs and Satellite Integration and Dispensation Mutually Inclusive?: An Analysis of India’s Capabilities
http://www.cdi.org/PDFs/IndiaMIRV.pdf
http://www.cdi.org/PDFs/IndiaMIRV.pdf
niteshkjain
New Member
http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=7910
All set for critical test of Agni III
5/3/2008 1:54:42 PM
India is all set to test Agni-III, which is slated to be the most powerful surface-to-surface missile and is likely to be launched between May 5 - May 9. The missile will be capable of carrying nuclear warheads to a range of more than 3,000 km. The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully tested the Agni-3 earlier, which reached the target of 3,000 kms in the stipulated time. This test of Agni 3 is critical as it is being seen as a deterent to China's growing power.
Elaborating on the missile, DRDO chief, M Natrajan said:"Agni-3 is an intermediate range missile with a range over 3000 meters. It can carry nuclear weapons and can be deterant to the Chinese missile. The test is schedule in the next week."
While, Agni-II is an intermediate ballistic missile, with a range of 2000 km. The missile weighs 16,000 kg and a length of 20 m. Agni 2 has two solid fuel stages and a Post Boost Vehicle.
Agni 1, on the otherhand, is a single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, which has a range of 750 km. The missile stands 15 metres tall and weighs around 12 tonnes.
All set for critical test of Agni III
5/3/2008 1:54:42 PM
India is all set to test Agni-III, which is slated to be the most powerful surface-to-surface missile and is likely to be launched between May 5 - May 9. The missile will be capable of carrying nuclear warheads to a range of more than 3,000 km. The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully tested the Agni-3 earlier, which reached the target of 3,000 kms in the stipulated time. This test of Agni 3 is critical as it is being seen as a deterent to China's growing power.
Elaborating on the missile, DRDO chief, M Natrajan said:"Agni-3 is an intermediate range missile with a range over 3000 meters. It can carry nuclear weapons and can be deterant to the Chinese missile. The test is schedule in the next week."
While, Agni-II is an intermediate ballistic missile, with a range of 2000 km. The missile weighs 16,000 kg and a length of 20 m. Agni 2 has two solid fuel stages and a Post Boost Vehicle.
Agni 1, on the otherhand, is a single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, which has a range of 750 km. The missile stands 15 metres tall and weighs around 12 tonnes.
niteshkjain
New Member
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/_Agni-III_to_be_tested_today/articleshow/3016689.cms
China-specific Agni-III to be tested today
7 May 2008, 0105 hrs IST,Rajat Pandit,TNN
NEW DELHI: In a move to somewhat bridge the stark strategic imbalance with China in terms of nuclear and missile arsenals, India is all set to test its most ambitious missile Agni-III on Wednesday.
The countdown for the launch of Agni-III, designed to hit high-value targets deep inside China with a strike range of 3,500-km, has begun at the integrated test range on Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa.
"The test will be conducted on Wednesday morning if there are no last-minute hitches. The final checks for all the sub-systems in the complex 16.7-metre tall missile, with a lift-off weight of 48 tonnes and a warhead of 1.5 tonnes, have been completed," said an official.
A ballistic missile basically enters a free-flight zone after an initial powered flight, which in turn is finally followed by the re-entry phase where the missile re-enters the earth's atmosphere from stratosphere on its way to the target.
The Agni-III launch on Wednesday becomes important since it is the third time that the rail-mobile missile will be tested.
The missile's entire flight path will be tracked from ground stations at Dhamra, Balasore and Port Blair, as well as naval warships deployed in the Indian Ocean. The first test of the two-stage Agni-III in July 2006 had gone completely awry, with scientists losing control of the missile over the Bay of Bengal barely 65 seconds into its flight.
It was later established that the "recirculation of hot gases", with temperatures going up to 1000 degree Celsius, had caused damage to cables of the control system of the first-stage.
For the second test, on April 12 last year, the missile was fitted with a "flex nozzle control system" or a "flexible" heat shield to protect vital components and cables from the high temperatures generated by the missile's re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.
And it worked, with the entire flight of the missile "validating" all mission objectives. Agni-III, which has a velocity of 5,000 metres per second, is a totally new system from the 700-km-range Agni-I (12-tonne) and 2,500-km-range Agni-II (17-tonne) missiles inducted by the armed forces.
Technicalities apart, India needs an operational Agni-III missile as soon as possible since China already has a wide array of missiles, ranging from the fully-operational 8,500-km CSS-4 to the new 11,270-km DF-31A inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
China, as reported by TOI earlier, is also the only country in Asia to have SLBMs like JL-1 and the almost-ready JL-2, with a strike range in the region of 8,000 km. "Chinese missiles can target any major city in India. What we need is credible minimum deterrence against any Chinese misadventure. Agni-III will be a concrete step towards it," said an official.
Well finally India started making noises about chinese buildup.
China-specific Agni-III to be tested today
7 May 2008, 0105 hrs IST,Rajat Pandit,TNN
NEW DELHI: In a move to somewhat bridge the stark strategic imbalance with China in terms of nuclear and missile arsenals, India is all set to test its most ambitious missile Agni-III on Wednesday.
The countdown for the launch of Agni-III, designed to hit high-value targets deep inside China with a strike range of 3,500-km, has begun at the integrated test range on Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa.
"The test will be conducted on Wednesday morning if there are no last-minute hitches. The final checks for all the sub-systems in the complex 16.7-metre tall missile, with a lift-off weight of 48 tonnes and a warhead of 1.5 tonnes, have been completed," said an official.
A ballistic missile basically enters a free-flight zone after an initial powered flight, which in turn is finally followed by the re-entry phase where the missile re-enters the earth's atmosphere from stratosphere on its way to the target.
The Agni-III launch on Wednesday becomes important since it is the third time that the rail-mobile missile will be tested.
The missile's entire flight path will be tracked from ground stations at Dhamra, Balasore and Port Blair, as well as naval warships deployed in the Indian Ocean. The first test of the two-stage Agni-III in July 2006 had gone completely awry, with scientists losing control of the missile over the Bay of Bengal barely 65 seconds into its flight.
It was later established that the "recirculation of hot gases", with temperatures going up to 1000 degree Celsius, had caused damage to cables of the control system of the first-stage.
For the second test, on April 12 last year, the missile was fitted with a "flex nozzle control system" or a "flexible" heat shield to protect vital components and cables from the high temperatures generated by the missile's re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.
And it worked, with the entire flight of the missile "validating" all mission objectives. Agni-III, which has a velocity of 5,000 metres per second, is a totally new system from the 700-km-range Agni-I (12-tonne) and 2,500-km-range Agni-II (17-tonne) missiles inducted by the armed forces.
Technicalities apart, India needs an operational Agni-III missile as soon as possible since China already has a wide array of missiles, ranging from the fully-operational 8,500-km CSS-4 to the new 11,270-km DF-31A inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
China, as reported by TOI earlier, is also the only country in Asia to have SLBMs like JL-1 and the almost-ready JL-2, with a strike range in the region of 8,000 km. "Chinese missiles can target any major city in India. What we need is credible minimum deterrence against any Chinese misadventure. Agni-III will be a concrete step towards it," said an official.
Well finally India started making noises about chinese buildup.
niteshkjain
New Member
Check this also
http://howrah.org/india_news/11599.html
N-capable Agni-III test-firing likely today
By SRIDHAR KUMARASWAMI
New Delhi, May 6: India is likely to conduct another test of its Agni-III nuclear-capable intermediate ballistic surface-to-surface missile off the Wheeler Island in Orissa very soon, probably as early as Wednesday. The Agni-III missile is designed to have a flight-range of 3,500 kms which will bring much of China within its range.
Defence minister A.K. Antony accompanied by top scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are likely to witness the launch. "The test is likely to be conducted very soon. It could be conducted as early as 10 am on Wednesday," South Block sources said.
The missile was initially supposed to have been launched in the last week of April. But the launch was delayed slightly following an appeal by wildlife experts in Orissa to postpone the tests due to the nesting season of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
India has, all along, lacked a credible nuclear-delivery system that could penetrate the Chinese heartland in stark contrast to China which has missiles capable of hitting every corner of India. Agni-III is designed to support both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a total payload weight of 600 kg to 1,800 kg. Analysts say the missile is designed to deliver a nuclear payload to the tune of 200-300 kilotons.
Most probably, the Agni-III missile will be fired by making use of solid fuel propellant unlike the short-range Prithvi missile as well as earlier versions of the Agni surface-to-surface missile. The Agni-III missile features two solid-fuel stages with overall diameter of 1.8 metres. This diameter is compatible with the recently tested sub-surface launch system. The missile’s first stage booster is made of advanced carbon composite materials to provide high mass fraction. It weighs about 24 tonnes and has a length of seven metres. The second stage is also made of advanced carbon composite materials weighing around eight tonnes with a length of 2.5 metres.
So new materials will also be tested along with this launch. But isn't it the range is too less.
Correct me if I am wrong as per the previous reports AgniI is 12 ton for 700 km range AgniII is 17 ton for 2500km range means 5 ton weight increase for 1800km range increase. And 48 ton missile for 3500 km range means more then 20 ton increase for 1000 km increase. Can some guru please enlighten.
http://howrah.org/india_news/11599.html
N-capable Agni-III test-firing likely today
By SRIDHAR KUMARASWAMI
New Delhi, May 6: India is likely to conduct another test of its Agni-III nuclear-capable intermediate ballistic surface-to-surface missile off the Wheeler Island in Orissa very soon, probably as early as Wednesday. The Agni-III missile is designed to have a flight-range of 3,500 kms which will bring much of China within its range.
Defence minister A.K. Antony accompanied by top scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are likely to witness the launch. "The test is likely to be conducted very soon. It could be conducted as early as 10 am on Wednesday," South Block sources said.
The missile was initially supposed to have been launched in the last week of April. But the launch was delayed slightly following an appeal by wildlife experts in Orissa to postpone the tests due to the nesting season of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
India has, all along, lacked a credible nuclear-delivery system that could penetrate the Chinese heartland in stark contrast to China which has missiles capable of hitting every corner of India. Agni-III is designed to support both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a total payload weight of 600 kg to 1,800 kg. Analysts say the missile is designed to deliver a nuclear payload to the tune of 200-300 kilotons.
Most probably, the Agni-III missile will be fired by making use of solid fuel propellant unlike the short-range Prithvi missile as well as earlier versions of the Agni surface-to-surface missile. The Agni-III missile features two solid-fuel stages with overall diameter of 1.8 metres. This diameter is compatible with the recently tested sub-surface launch system. The missile’s first stage booster is made of advanced carbon composite materials to provide high mass fraction. It weighs about 24 tonnes and has a length of seven metres. The second stage is also made of advanced carbon composite materials weighing around eight tonnes with a length of 2.5 metres.
So new materials will also be tested along with this launch. But isn't it the range is too less.
Correct me if I am wrong as per the previous reports AgniI is 12 ton for 700 km range AgniII is 17 ton for 2500km range means 5 ton weight increase for 1800km range increase. And 48 ton missile for 3500 km range means more then 20 ton increase for 1000 km increase. Can some guru please enlighten.
niteshkjain
New Member
Now here are two links giving different description
From Rediff: 3,000 km range Agni-III missile test fired
http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/may/07agni.htm
From Indiatimes: 3,500-km range Agni-III missile test-fired
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_test-fires_Agni-III_missile/articleshow/3017598.cms
so waht is the range 3K 3.5K KM?
anyway also look in to this
http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=8060
Agni III test 'meets all parameters'
5/7/2008 9:28:07 AM
The last successful flight test of the Agni III in April 12, 2008
India's long-range ballistic missile Agni III has been test fired successfully for third time, today (May 7). The missile was launched at 9:55 am from Balasore just off the coast of Orissa. After a flight of roughly 15 minutes defence scientists confirmed that the test fire was successful and Defence sources claim that the missile meets all parameters.
The test marks the completion of an important milestone in India's missile defence programme, in reaching the country's goal of creating a credible deterrent to regional security threats.
This was be the third test of this long-range ballistic missile. The first test in 2006 had failed when shortly after lift off, the missile plopped into the Bay of Bengal, but the second test carried out on April 12, 2007 was successful.
The test fire was a move to somewhat bridge the stark strategic imbalance in terms of nuclear and missile arsenals. India needs an operational Agni-III missile as soon as possible since China already has a wide array of missiles, ranging from the fully-operational 8,500-km CSS-4 to the new 11,270-km DF-31A inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
China is also the only country in Asia to have SLBMs like JL-1 and the almost-ready JL-2, with a strike range in the region of 8,000 km.
The million-strong Chinese army has been modernising at a furious pace, investing in new weapons, fighter aircraft and tanks. The Chinese have built secret bases a stone's throw away from the Andaman and Nicobar islands, near the straits of Mallacca. China's arsenal of nuclear tipped missiles can hit any city in India.
The Agni III is being seen as one of India's answers to China's growing military capabilty.
What makes Agni III different?
The Agni III has a velocity of 5,000 metres per second, and is a totally new system from the 700-km-range Agni-I (12-tonne) and 2,500-km-range Agni-II (17-tonne) missiles inducted by the armed forces. Unlike its predecessors, it is a fully solid propellant fuelled surface-to-surface missile, has a range of over 3,000 kms and is nuclear-capable. So it can easily act as a deterrent to Chinese missiles. Besides, a new navigation system fitted on the missile will increase accuracy, and by consequence, lethality.
On April 12, when Agni III lifted off from Wheeler island in a textbook perfect test, it was a warning to India's adversaries, that the country would fight fire with fire. But one successful test is not enough. India's most potent weapon gives the country the capability to strike back deep inside China if need be, making the missile, the jewel of India's arsenal.
Lending some perspective, is K Santhanam, former deputy director of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
"I think more than as a response to regional capacities - our programmees are geared to meeting our own responses to perceptions of our security threats, nothing more and nothing less. It is the measured growth of indigenous capabilities such as missiles. In all these major system design process, it is essential that fullscale tests be conducted so that the neccesary degree of confidence can be gained in the design," said Santhanam. Speaking on glitches in previous tests of the Agni III - its debut test in July last year ended in failure because of a defective heat shield - the former DRDO chief said,
"These complex systems, which have several hundred thousand components and sub-systems, do fail - but I do not think such failures must make one wring ones hands in despair - it is but a stepping stone to further success down the road," he said.
Indeed, according to the channel's special correspondent Srinjoy Chowdhury, defence planners do not want exact parity with Chinese military might - it is enough to have a minimum credible deterrent.
"The Agni III is being seen as one since it can carry nuclear missiles, and is hard to detect as will be carried on a railroad. It is also long range. In case any future hostilities are involved and there is a chance of a military confrontation, the Agni III can be used. China or any other country will then remember that India possesses a balilstic missile range of 3,500 kms and so seriously consider not escalating matters," said Chowdhury.
From Rediff: 3,000 km range Agni-III missile test fired
http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/may/07agni.htm
From Indiatimes: 3,500-km range Agni-III missile test-fired
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_test-fires_Agni-III_missile/articleshow/3017598.cms
so waht is the range 3K 3.5K KM?
anyway also look in to this
http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=8060
Agni III test 'meets all parameters'
5/7/2008 9:28:07 AM
The last successful flight test of the Agni III in April 12, 2008
India's long-range ballistic missile Agni III has been test fired successfully for third time, today (May 7). The missile was launched at 9:55 am from Balasore just off the coast of Orissa. After a flight of roughly 15 minutes defence scientists confirmed that the test fire was successful and Defence sources claim that the missile meets all parameters.
The test marks the completion of an important milestone in India's missile defence programme, in reaching the country's goal of creating a credible deterrent to regional security threats.
This was be the third test of this long-range ballistic missile. The first test in 2006 had failed when shortly after lift off, the missile plopped into the Bay of Bengal, but the second test carried out on April 12, 2007 was successful.
The test fire was a move to somewhat bridge the stark strategic imbalance in terms of nuclear and missile arsenals. India needs an operational Agni-III missile as soon as possible since China already has a wide array of missiles, ranging from the fully-operational 8,500-km CSS-4 to the new 11,270-km DF-31A inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
China is also the only country in Asia to have SLBMs like JL-1 and the almost-ready JL-2, with a strike range in the region of 8,000 km.
The million-strong Chinese army has been modernising at a furious pace, investing in new weapons, fighter aircraft and tanks. The Chinese have built secret bases a stone's throw away from the Andaman and Nicobar islands, near the straits of Mallacca. China's arsenal of nuclear tipped missiles can hit any city in India.
The Agni III is being seen as one of India's answers to China's growing military capabilty.
What makes Agni III different?
The Agni III has a velocity of 5,000 metres per second, and is a totally new system from the 700-km-range Agni-I (12-tonne) and 2,500-km-range Agni-II (17-tonne) missiles inducted by the armed forces. Unlike its predecessors, it is a fully solid propellant fuelled surface-to-surface missile, has a range of over 3,000 kms and is nuclear-capable. So it can easily act as a deterrent to Chinese missiles. Besides, a new navigation system fitted on the missile will increase accuracy, and by consequence, lethality.
On April 12, when Agni III lifted off from Wheeler island in a textbook perfect test, it was a warning to India's adversaries, that the country would fight fire with fire. But one successful test is not enough. India's most potent weapon gives the country the capability to strike back deep inside China if need be, making the missile, the jewel of India's arsenal.
Lending some perspective, is K Santhanam, former deputy director of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
"I think more than as a response to regional capacities - our programmees are geared to meeting our own responses to perceptions of our security threats, nothing more and nothing less. It is the measured growth of indigenous capabilities such as missiles. In all these major system design process, it is essential that fullscale tests be conducted so that the neccesary degree of confidence can be gained in the design," said Santhanam. Speaking on glitches in previous tests of the Agni III - its debut test in July last year ended in failure because of a defective heat shield - the former DRDO chief said,
"These complex systems, which have several hundred thousand components and sub-systems, do fail - but I do not think such failures must make one wring ones hands in despair - it is but a stepping stone to further success down the road," he said.
Indeed, according to the channel's special correspondent Srinjoy Chowdhury, defence planners do not want exact parity with Chinese military might - it is enough to have a minimum credible deterrent.
"The Agni III is being seen as one since it can carry nuclear missiles, and is hard to detect as will be carried on a railroad. It is also long range. In case any future hostilities are involved and there is a chance of a military confrontation, the Agni III can be used. China or any other country will then remember that India possesses a balilstic missile range of 3,500 kms and so seriously consider not escalating matters," said Chowdhury.
niteshkjain
New Member
See this Hindu report, I am marking the points to be noted in BOLD
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/000200805071441.htm
Agni-III test-fired successfully
Balasore (PTI): India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its 3000 km range surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile for the second time giving the country a capability to hit targets as far as deep inside China.
The all solid fuel missile took off from Wheelers Island off Orissa coast at 09:56 hrs and achieved its full range and accuracy by reaching its pre-designated target in 800 seconds.
"The missile is now ready for induction," jubilant DRDO scientists told reporters after the missile achieved its target in a copy-book style.
With this second successful test-firing, India now joins a select group of nations having intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) with ranges upto 3000 kms. The missile will give the nation the capability to target cities in China like Beijing and Shanghai.
It was a sort of golden jubilee gift of the DRDO to the nation as the organisation is about to launch from Monday celebrations to commemorate 50 years of its existence. The success of Agni-III paves the way for India to build its truly intercontinental range missiles Agni-IV with a range of 5000 kms in the near future.
A miniaturised submarine-launched version of the Agni-III called Agni-III SL is also being developed and could be test-fired shortly.
Unlike Agni-I and Agni-II, the Agni-III missile has been designed and optimised to carry lighter 200 KT thermo nuclear pay-load weapons.
The third stage booster being installed for the future Agni range of missiles will give them capability of hitting targets at longer distances fairly accurately.
"The missile reached the pre-designated target in a time of 800 seconds, travelling through a peak height of 350 kms with a velocity of more than 4000 mts a second," Avinash Chander, Director of the Agni Project, told reporters here.
He said, "All the sub-systems of the missile functioned in a copy book manner giving an outstanding integrated performance of the missile in terms of range and accuracy."
For the first time, the missile scientists flight-tested high performance indigenous Ring Laser Gyro based navigation system in the Agni range of missiles. So far the DRDO has been using Strap-dowm Inertial Navigation Systems.
With the revival of the Indo-Russian GLONASS project, which will be in orbit by 2010, Indian missiles are expected to have more precision.
Two Indian naval warships positioned near the target location, South of Equator, confirmed the impact of the missile. This was the third test-flight of the missile.
So all in all interesting times ahead
India will have capability to launch SLBM at 3k+ Km range, that will add a lot of theeth in India's defence capability.
Regarding GLONASS can somebody please update what is India's contribution.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/000200805071441.htm
Agni-III test-fired successfully
Balasore (PTI): India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its 3000 km range surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile for the second time giving the country a capability to hit targets as far as deep inside China.
The all solid fuel missile took off from Wheelers Island off Orissa coast at 09:56 hrs and achieved its full range and accuracy by reaching its pre-designated target in 800 seconds.
"The missile is now ready for induction," jubilant DRDO scientists told reporters after the missile achieved its target in a copy-book style.
With this second successful test-firing, India now joins a select group of nations having intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) with ranges upto 3000 kms. The missile will give the nation the capability to target cities in China like Beijing and Shanghai.
It was a sort of golden jubilee gift of the DRDO to the nation as the organisation is about to launch from Monday celebrations to commemorate 50 years of its existence. The success of Agni-III paves the way for India to build its truly intercontinental range missiles Agni-IV with a range of 5000 kms in the near future.
A miniaturised submarine-launched version of the Agni-III called Agni-III SL is also being developed and could be test-fired shortly.
Unlike Agni-I and Agni-II, the Agni-III missile has been designed and optimised to carry lighter 200 KT thermo nuclear pay-load weapons.
The third stage booster being installed for the future Agni range of missiles will give them capability of hitting targets at longer distances fairly accurately.
"The missile reached the pre-designated target in a time of 800 seconds, travelling through a peak height of 350 kms with a velocity of more than 4000 mts a second," Avinash Chander, Director of the Agni Project, told reporters here.
He said, "All the sub-systems of the missile functioned in a copy book manner giving an outstanding integrated performance of the missile in terms of range and accuracy."
For the first time, the missile scientists flight-tested high performance indigenous Ring Laser Gyro based navigation system in the Agni range of missiles. So far the DRDO has been using Strap-dowm Inertial Navigation Systems.
With the revival of the Indo-Russian GLONASS project, which will be in orbit by 2010, Indian missiles are expected to have more precision.
Two Indian naval warships positioned near the target location, South of Equator, confirmed the impact of the missile. This was the third test-flight of the missile.
So all in all interesting times ahead
India will have capability to launch SLBM at 3k+ Km range, that will add a lot of theeth in India's defence capability.
Regarding GLONASS can somebody please update what is India's contribution.
niteshkjain
New Member
Now look in to this news:
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200805072073.htm
Agni III could have 5,000 km range: Russian General
Moscow (PTI): A top Russian General on Wednesday said that India's Agni-III ballistic missile, which has a range of 3,000 kilometres, could strike targets upto 5,000 kilometres, similar to that of Soviet designed SS-20 nuclear missile.
The Russian General's remarks came as India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile for the second time giving the country a capability to hit targets as far as deep inside China.
"The parameters of the missile disclosed by the Indian defence officials... provide solid ground for presuming that Agni-III is similar to the Soviet Army's first twin stage solid fuel propelled BRSD "Pioneer" (NATO codename SS-20) missile with a range of upto five thousand kilometres," Maj Gen Yevgeny Borodunov was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.
Gen Borodunov was formerly commander of the 33rd missile division of the Strategic Missile Force, which was the first unit to induct 'Pioneer' missiles in the Soviet Army. He also noted that Agni-III is the first ballistic missile tested on the trajectory crossing the equator.
Can some guru please guide what is the exact range of missile?
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200805072073.htm
Agni III could have 5,000 km range: Russian General
Moscow (PTI): A top Russian General on Wednesday said that India's Agni-III ballistic missile, which has a range of 3,000 kilometres, could strike targets upto 5,000 kilometres, similar to that of Soviet designed SS-20 nuclear missile.
The Russian General's remarks came as India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile for the second time giving the country a capability to hit targets as far as deep inside China.
"The parameters of the missile disclosed by the Indian defence officials... provide solid ground for presuming that Agni-III is similar to the Soviet Army's first twin stage solid fuel propelled BRSD "Pioneer" (NATO codename SS-20) missile with a range of upto five thousand kilometres," Maj Gen Yevgeny Borodunov was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.
Gen Borodunov was formerly commander of the 33rd missile division of the Strategic Missile Force, which was the first unit to induct 'Pioneer' missiles in the Soviet Army. He also noted that Agni-III is the first ballistic missile tested on the trajectory crossing the equator.
Can some guru please guide what is the exact range of missile?
niteshkjain
New Member
Now this is a really good news. This will give teeth to Indian army:
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/08/stories/2008050860961200.htm
Army likely to induct Agni-III ballistic missile by next year
Y. Mallikarjun and T.S. Subramanian
CHENNAI: The Agni-III ballistic missile system may be inducted into the Army by next year.
With its consistent performance for the second time on Wednesday, the path has been cleared for its induction into the Army, according to Avinash Chander, Programme Director, Agni-III.
The missile’s flight trajectory was as per design and all the systems performed to expectations, validating the pre-launch modelling and simulation. The missile was made more robust to withstand severe vibrations and other disturbances.
A special system, called ring-laser gyro-based inertial navigation system, was flown on board for higher accuracy of the flight. The circular error probable was in single digit, indicating the high accuracy of the system, Mr. Chander said.
After the successful flight, M. Natarajan, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, said from Wheeler Island, “We may have one more flight. We are ready for induction [of the missile into the Army]. It will take some time to manufacture some numbers of the missile.”
The terminal effects of the flight were good and the re-entry system worked perfectly, added Mr. Natarajan, who is also Director General, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
V.K. Saraswat, Chief Controller, R and D (Missiles and Strategic Systems), DRDO, said: “We have basically completed the packaging so that the missile system is in a deliverable mode to the user-agency…It was an excellent launch. The complete configuration of the weapon system, the Launch Control Centre, the rail launcher and the communication network worked to perfection.”
The radars at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea, Konark, Paradip (all situated in Orissa) and Port Blair tracked the missile from the lift-off till its payload impacted the Indian Ocean, 3000 km away.
“The downrange telemetry signals were picked by ships with radars, stationed 3,000 km away from the launch point,” Dr. Saraswat said. They provided data on the terminal phase of the missile’s flight and its impacting on the waters. “We could see, on the screen of the computers at the Launch Control Centre, the terminal events taking place.”
Even during the plasma effect (which disturbs the communication), data was received. “This means we have continuous data till the end,” said Dr. Saraswat.
With its range of more than 3,500 km, Agni-III can target several parts beyond India’s neighbourhood. Agni-II and Agni-I – have already been inducted into the Army. While Agni-II can target places 2,000 km away, Agni-I has a range of 700 km. All these three missiles can carry nuclear warheads.
The launch was witnessed by Sundaram Krishnan, Adviser to the Defence Minister; Shekhar Dutt, Deputy National Security Advisor, and senior officers of the armed forces. Defence Minister A.K. Antony has congratulated the DRDO team for the successful launch.
Despite an overcast sky, sensors captured the trajectory of the missile well, said DRDO scientists. The radars also captured the missile’s path accurately. It was tracked by an electro-optical tracking system, using infra-red technology.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/08/stories/2008050860961200.htm
Army likely to induct Agni-III ballistic missile by next year
Y. Mallikarjun and T.S. Subramanian
CHENNAI: The Agni-III ballistic missile system may be inducted into the Army by next year.
With its consistent performance for the second time on Wednesday, the path has been cleared for its induction into the Army, according to Avinash Chander, Programme Director, Agni-III.
The missile’s flight trajectory was as per design and all the systems performed to expectations, validating the pre-launch modelling and simulation. The missile was made more robust to withstand severe vibrations and other disturbances.
A special system, called ring-laser gyro-based inertial navigation system, was flown on board for higher accuracy of the flight. The circular error probable was in single digit, indicating the high accuracy of the system, Mr. Chander said.
After the successful flight, M. Natarajan, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, said from Wheeler Island, “We may have one more flight. We are ready for induction [of the missile into the Army]. It will take some time to manufacture some numbers of the missile.”
The terminal effects of the flight were good and the re-entry system worked perfectly, added Mr. Natarajan, who is also Director General, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
V.K. Saraswat, Chief Controller, R and D (Missiles and Strategic Systems), DRDO, said: “We have basically completed the packaging so that the missile system is in a deliverable mode to the user-agency…It was an excellent launch. The complete configuration of the weapon system, the Launch Control Centre, the rail launcher and the communication network worked to perfection.”
The radars at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea, Konark, Paradip (all situated in Orissa) and Port Blair tracked the missile from the lift-off till its payload impacted the Indian Ocean, 3000 km away.
“The downrange telemetry signals were picked by ships with radars, stationed 3,000 km away from the launch point,” Dr. Saraswat said. They provided data on the terminal phase of the missile’s flight and its impacting on the waters. “We could see, on the screen of the computers at the Launch Control Centre, the terminal events taking place.”
Even during the plasma effect (which disturbs the communication), data was received. “This means we have continuous data till the end,” said Dr. Saraswat.
With its range of more than 3,500 km, Agni-III can target several parts beyond India’s neighbourhood. Agni-II and Agni-I – have already been inducted into the Army. While Agni-II can target places 2,000 km away, Agni-I has a range of 700 km. All these three missiles can carry nuclear warheads.
The launch was witnessed by Sundaram Krishnan, Adviser to the Defence Minister; Shekhar Dutt, Deputy National Security Advisor, and senior officers of the armed forces. Defence Minister A.K. Antony has congratulated the DRDO team for the successful launch.
Despite an overcast sky, sensors captured the trajectory of the missile well, said DRDO scientists. The radars also captured the missile’s path accurately. It was tracked by an electro-optical tracking system, using infra-red technology.
i believe the range depends on the payload.
like the prithvi missile has a range of 350 km with full payload but with a smaller payload it has a range of 500km.
the 3000km range of the agni 3 must be with the full payload and maybe it can hit targets at a farther range with a smaller payload.
niteshkjain
New Member
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/10/stories/2008051054681300.htm
DRDO readying design for 5,000 km-range Agni-V
It is to be equipped in the later stages with multiple warheads
FOR A STRONGER INDIA: Agni programme director and Advanced Systems Laboratory director Avinash Chander (centre), with his colleagues, displays a model of Agni-V at a press meet in Hyderabad on Friday.
HYDERABAD: Riding on the success of the test-firing of the 3,500 km range, nuclear-capable Agni-III surface-to-surface ballistic missile, the DRDO scientists team involved in the Agni project is planning to complete the design for the first developmental flight of Agni-V ( 5,000 km) in two years. Besides, the team also proposes to equip Agni-V in the later stages with multiple warheads and anti-ballistic missile counter measures.
Talking to reporters here on Friday, Agni’s programme director and Advanced Systems Laboratory director Avinash Chander said, “We are getting ready for the 5,000 km system. Designs are in progress.”
With most of the inputs coming from Agni-III, the technological capability existed for developing a ballistic missile of 5,000 km range.
New design
Although developing Agni-V was an extension of the existing know-how, he pointed out that it would be per se a new design and a new product. Every package needed to be thoroughly evaluated for severe thermal environment and other factors which Agni-V would encounter.
Mr. Chander said that Agni-V would be a three-stage solid-fuelled projectile with the third stage made of composite rocket motor casing.
He said the just-tested Agni-III was a “truly deliverable version” and expressed confidence that no more developmental flights were required. For the first time, a strategic command network and all features of safety and security were integrated with the system. Referring to the maturity of the missile technology developed for Agni-III, he said “We have come to a stage where we can closely recreate all flight conditions on the ground for 600 micro-parameters… we have totally validated the design and manufacturing methodologies, ” he added.
Stressing that Agni-III was ready for induction, he said the user might require a familiarisation test in the next six to eight months.
He said the ring laser gyro-based Inertial Navigation System was among the state-of-the-art indigenous components used in the missile to enhance its accuracy.
V.G.Sekharan, project director (A3), D.P.Rao, project director (A1), Tessy Thomas, associate project director, and D.Lakshminarayana, project director (A2), were present.
So finally India is taking steps on MIRV technology.
DRDO readying design for 5,000 km-range Agni-V
It is to be equipped in the later stages with multiple warheads
FOR A STRONGER INDIA: Agni programme director and Advanced Systems Laboratory director Avinash Chander (centre), with his colleagues, displays a model of Agni-V at a press meet in Hyderabad on Friday.
HYDERABAD: Riding on the success of the test-firing of the 3,500 km range, nuclear-capable Agni-III surface-to-surface ballistic missile, the DRDO scientists team involved in the Agni project is planning to complete the design for the first developmental flight of Agni-V ( 5,000 km) in two years. Besides, the team also proposes to equip Agni-V in the later stages with multiple warheads and anti-ballistic missile counter measures.
Talking to reporters here on Friday, Agni’s programme director and Advanced Systems Laboratory director Avinash Chander said, “We are getting ready for the 5,000 km system. Designs are in progress.”
With most of the inputs coming from Agni-III, the technological capability existed for developing a ballistic missile of 5,000 km range.
New design
Although developing Agni-V was an extension of the existing know-how, he pointed out that it would be per se a new design and a new product. Every package needed to be thoroughly evaluated for severe thermal environment and other factors which Agni-V would encounter.
Mr. Chander said that Agni-V would be a three-stage solid-fuelled projectile with the third stage made of composite rocket motor casing.
He said the just-tested Agni-III was a “truly deliverable version” and expressed confidence that no more developmental flights were required. For the first time, a strategic command network and all features of safety and security were integrated with the system. Referring to the maturity of the missile technology developed for Agni-III, he said “We have come to a stage where we can closely recreate all flight conditions on the ground for 600 micro-parameters… we have totally validated the design and manufacturing methodologies, ” he added.
Stressing that Agni-III was ready for induction, he said the user might require a familiarisation test in the next six to eight months.
He said the ring laser gyro-based Inertial Navigation System was among the state-of-the-art indigenous components used in the missile to enhance its accuracy.
V.G.Sekharan, project director (A3), D.P.Rao, project director (A1), Tessy Thomas, associate project director, and D.Lakshminarayana, project director (A2), were present.
So finally India is taking steps on MIRV technology.