NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday successfully test-fired indigenously developed, nuclear-capable, ballistic missiles Prithvi-II from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, about 15 kilometers from Balasore off the Orissa coast.
According to official information India test-fired two surface-to-surface Prithvi-II missiles, the first at 8.15 and the second at 9.15 in the morning from the launch complex number III of the ITR.
Prithvi-II, with a striking range of 250 to 300 kilometers, is capable of carrying a pay-load of 500 kilogrammes. The missile is also capable of carrying nuclear warhead. Prithvi, the first ballistic missile developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, is propelled by liquid propulsion twin engine. With a length of nine metre, one point one metre diameter and four point six tonne weight, Prithvi-II uses an advanced inertial guidance system with maneuvering trajectory. The two missiles test-fired today reportedly achieved a striking range of 280 kilometers
Meanwhile India’s indigenous Lakshya pilotless target aircraft has also been successfully flight tested. A (DRDO) press release said here on Wednesday, the Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment conducted the flight test of Lakshya-2. The flight test was of 32 minutes duration controlled by Ground Control Station and the low altitude flight was proven over 10-km range within all parameters.