India successfully test fires Agni-IV missile

BALASORE (ODISHA): India today successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable strategic missile Agni-IV, with a strike range of about 4,000 km, from a test range off the Odisha coast.

"The test firing was a total success. The missile travelled its full range," M V K V Prasad, the director of Integrated Test Range, told PTI.

It was test launched from the launch complex-4 of the ITR at Wheeler Island, at about 10:52 AM, defence sources said.

A high performance on-board computer with distributed avionics architecture, a high speed reliable communication bus and a fully digital control system were used to control and guide the missile to the target, the sources said.

"It is equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide high level of reliability," a DRDO official said.

"The state-of-the-art Ring Laser Gyros based high accuracy INS (INS) and Micro Navigation System (MINGS) complementing each other in redundant mode have been incorporated into the missile system in guidance mode," the sources said.

The sophisticated missile is lighter in weight and has two stages of solid propulsion. The payload, with a re-entry heat shield can withstand temperature of more than 3000 degree Celsius, a defence scientist said.

The missile is undergoing developmental trials by the DRDO.

This is the third development trial of Agni-IV missile by the DRDO.

Radars and electro-optical systems along the coast of Odisha have been positioned for tracking and monitoring all the parameters of the missile.

Two Indian naval ships were anchored near the target area to witness the final event.

The last trial of the missile was carried out successfully on September 19, 2012 from the same base.

Congratulating the team of scientists involved in the test, DRDO chief Avinash Chander said that this was the third successful launch of the missile and now its development process has been completed.

"It is now ready for induction," he said.