Prithvi-II ballistic missile successfully test-fired
By ANIWednesday, December 22, 2010
CHANDIPUR - India on Wednesday test-fired two Prithvi-II nuclear-capable ballistic missiles from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on sea in Orissa.
According to defence sources, the surface-to-surface missiles mounted on mobile launchers were test-fired from the launch complex-3 in the ITR at around 8:15 a.m. and 9: 15 a.m.
The test-firing of the indigenously developed missiles were routine trials conducted by the personnel of Strategic Force Command (SFC).
The entire trajectory of trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, electro-optic telemetry stations and ships launched in the down range impact point area in the Bay for post-launch analyses.
Prtihvi-II, already inducted into the Indian Army, is capable of carrying warheads weighing 500-1,000 kg. It is equipped with an advanced inertial navigation system and has features to deceive anti-ballistic missiles.
During the last user trial from the same launch complex on September 24, the missile had failed to perform due to some technical problems.
The Prithvi -II has a strike range of 350 km and a two stage engine. It is nine metres long and a metre wide. (ANI)