AGNI III launched successfully

Bhagat SG

AGNI III launched successfully
http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=10718

Indian scientists today achieved a major milestone in missile technology when they successfully conducted the flight test of the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) - AGNI III from the Wheeler Island, off the coast of Orissa at 10.50 this morning. The 16 meter long missile weighing 48 tonnes, lifted off successfully from its Rail Mobile Launcher System leaving a trail of orange and yellow smoke. The missile which has a range of more than 3000 kms is capable of carrying a pay load of 1.5 Tonnes. The trajectory of AGNI III is computed by the onboard computer system based on the launch and target coordinates. During the flight the missile has no communication with the ground systems and is autonomous and fully `intelligentâ to reach its designated target. With this success, the design team is happy that the problems faced in the previous attempt on July 09 last year has been fully understood and solved.

The entire flight path of approx 15 minutes duration validated all mission objectives primarily to establish the performance of the two stage propulsion in flight and the flex nozzle control system being attempted by DRDO scientists for the very first time. The flight was tracked from ground stations at Dhamra, ITR, Balasore, Port Blair and two Indian Naval ships in the Indian Ocean. Shri M Natarajan, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri made a specific reference to the achievement of high degree of self reliance in AGNI III, as most of the sub systems have been developed within the country with the synergy between DRDO - Industry (both Public and Private sector) and Academia. As per the Mission Director, Shri Avinash Chander, many "firsts" have been established by this launch, which includes the Flex Nozzle Controls of Rocket Motor during powered phase, specially developed composite propellant with high specific impulse for the rocket. Guidance and Control with built in fault tolerant avionics, withstanding of severe aero thermal environment experienced during the Re-entry phase and coordinated mission management.

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has congratulated the defence scientists on the successful launch and for achieving another important milestone in self-reliance in this critical strategic system. He also stated that India has matured in the missile technology area and was definitely at par with many other developed countries. AGNI III has confirmed Indiaâs Strategic capability for minimum credible deterrence. Today's historic event was witnessed by Shri Pallam Raju, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri M Natarajan, SA to RM and a host of senior officials of Ministry of Defence and Services.

beavan SG

this is the missle that caused the indonesian airliner to turn back?

Moonstriker SG

There are areas and blocked airspaces designated for military live-firings or exercises where civilian airways will not cross into, so unless the pilot flew his damn plane @ a much lower flight level than planned or the ATC in India FIR cleared him to fly @ that level where its close to the limit of the blocked airspace.
Highly unlikely to happen though.

tankfanatic SG

instead of firing and testing new expensive weapon they should improve their people living condition first. Its sad.

beavan SG

i feel the same. but what can u expect from a parliament that fights openly?

Bhagat SG

Yes, they were informed well ahead and the news were around for around a week before the test.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/14/stories/2007041403540100.htm

Agni-III test: Jakarta ATC was informed

Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI: A notice was sent a week before Thursday's Agni-III missile test to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Jakarta and others in the region, informing them of the launch window dates, danger time, zone and height, India said on Friday.

The clarification comes in the wake of an explanation sought by Indonesia from Indian Ambassador Navrekha Sharma why adequate notice was not given about the missile test as two Garuda (national carrier) planes had to return to Jakarta after entering the Indian air space owing to the test-firing of the missile.

The External Affairs Ministry spokesman said the ATCs were requested to take action and issue a NOTAM (Notice to Aviators and Mariners), in accordance with the provisions laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

"India's missile testing programme has always followed the requisite safety precautions, including in the case of Agni-III test of April 12, 2007," the spokesman said.

PTI reports:

Garuda Indonesia Operations Director Ari Sapari was quoted in an Indonesian newspaper as saying that ``there was no prior information about the test.'' The media report in Jakarta said a Garuda jet, full of Muslim pilgrims en route to Saudi Arabia, had reached the Indian airspace when the missile streaked across the sky, forcing the plane to turn around.

Bhagat SG

With each improvement they need improved missiles.

Bhagat SG

'Long range missiles in three years'
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B093F2933-3568-49D5-AE2B-589A61A94F11%7D&CATEGORYNAME=NATL

New Delhi, April 13: With the successful launch of the nuclear-capable Agni-III, India has achieved the capability to develop an inter-continental ballistic missile to strike at targets 5,500 km away within the next two to three years, top defence scientists said today.

"We have achieved the capability to make missiles with a range of 3,500 km to 5,500 km but the decision (to develop an ICBM) has to be taken by the political leadership," Defence Research and Development Organisation chief M Natarajan said here.

"DRDO scientists are working on miniaturising the systems of the Agni-III so that a third stage can be squeezed into the 16-metre-long missile to enable it to go up to 5,500 km with the same 1.5-tonne payload," Natarajan said a day after the first successful launch of the 3,000-km Agni-III.

Agni-III will also be converted into a submarine- launched ballistic missile to open more second-strike options for the country, DRDO scientists told reporters during a briefing.

Pointing out that Agni-III had been tested to almost its full range of 3,000 km, mission director Avinash Chander said the missile would become "fully operational" after two to three more launches to be carried out in the next three years. DRDO has drawn up a busy schedule of tests for its diverse range of indigenous missiles, with the second test of its missile defence system set for August or October. The organisation is also planning user trials for its surface-to -air Akash missile and fourth generation anti-tank Nag missile.

Chander said Agni-I, with a range of 700 km, had already been inducted into the army while the country's first fully solid-state missile, the 2,000-km Agni-II, is currently being inducted.

Asked whether the proposed ICBM would be christened Surya, Natarajan said it be given a name derived from the Agni series.

For the first time, Chander said, DRDO had acted only as an integrating agency with the Agni-III, with most of the missile's components being made by private industry. A total of 258 private firms and 20 DRDO laboratories were involved in this venture.

"This is why there were no production delays and the next missile is being readied in parallel," he said. (Agencies)

Moonstriker SG

heh.. india gonna get it from ICAO n IATA…