An advance user trial of short-range surface-to-air anti-aircraft missile Akash was conducted on Tuesday at around 11.42 am. The Air Force version of the missile was carried out from the lC-III of the ITR near here successfully, said a senior Defence officer. The last test of Akash had been carried out on June 18 this year. This weapon system was inducted into the armed forces in 2008.
Its Army version is in the final stage of its trial.The missile, which can fly at a speed of around 2.5 Mach and reach an altitude of 18 km, is meant for both for Indian Army and Air Force. Having a strike range of about 27 km, it can be fired from both track and wheel platforms. The missile can carry a payload of 50 kg. It can destroy manoeuvring targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), fighter aircrafts, cruise missiles and missiles launched from helicopters.