India soars high with pride: Nuclear capable “Agni-5” ballistic missile successfully test-fired

Bhuwaneshwar, June 4: Shooting high on success, India on Sunday successfully test fired the Long-range ballistic missile Agni-5 from Dr. Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island) at the Odisha coast proving its reliability. This is the sixth successful test of the missile and the second in its pre-induction configuration.

 

The missile was launched with the help of a mobile launcher from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at 9.48 am. The missile covered its full distance during the trial which was a total success. This was the sixth successful test; before this, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had conducted five tests of the Agni-5 missile, the last one on January 18, 2018. The first test was conducted on April 19, 2012.

"The flight performance of the missile was tracked and monitored by radars, tracking instruments and observation stations all through the mission.”

 

Agni-5 can carry nuclear missile weighing 1.5 tonnes to a distance of over 5,000 km and is the longest missile in India’s collection capable of reaching most parts of China. With a smaller shipment, the range can go up much higher. Unlike other missiles of Agni series, the latest one 'Agni-5' is the most advanced having some new technologies incorporated with it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.

A lot of new technologies developed indigenously was successfully tested in the first Agni-5 trial. The redundant navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation System (MINS) had 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, an official said. It also has advantages of higher reliability, longer shelf life, less maintenance and enhanced mobility.