First Canister-based Agni-V missile successfully test-fired

First Canister-based Agni-V missile successfully test-fired

For the first time, a canisterised version of Agni-V missile was successfully test-fired on 31 January 2015 from Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. This was the third successful flight test of the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the first canister trial. Test: The missile was launched from sealed canister, mounted on a TATRA truck. It was carrying dummy payload. Test showed that dummy payload withstand temperatures more than 3,0000 C and hit the target at pre-designated point in the Indian Ocean. Implication: A canister-launch system of Agni-V missile will give the forces the requisite operational flexibility. With this system, ballistic missile can be transported and can launched from any place. Agni-V missile Agni-V ICBM is indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is Part of the Agni series of missiles, one of the missile systems under the original Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Range: 5,500–5,800 km. It will allow India to strike targets across Asia and into Europe It is a 3 stage solid fuelled missile with composite motor casing in the second and third stage. It carries Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRV) payloads. A single MIRV equipped missile, that can deliver multiple warheads at different targets. Incorporate advanced technologies involving ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer for navigation and guidance. First successfully test-fired by DRDO from Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa on April 19, 2012. With this, India joined an “elite nuclear club” that also included China, Russia, France, the US, the UK and possibly Israel.