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.