India on Sunday conducted a second test-flight of its indigenously-developed nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile Agni-V, which has a strike range of more than 5,000 km, from the Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.
The three-stage, solid propellant missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 8.50 am, Defence sources said.
They said the surface-to-surface missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne, witnessed an ‘auto launch’ and detail results of the trial would be known after thorough analyses of all data retrieved from different radars and network systems.
The sleek missile, within a few seconds of its blast-off from the island launch pad, roared majestically into a clear sunny sky leaving behind a trail of thin orange and white column of smoke, and within seconds it pierced into the sky, according to a spectator.
The launch, conducted in the presence of Defence scientists, was the second developmental trial of the missile, the first test having been conducted on April 19, 2012 which was a total success.
Agni-V is about 17-metre-long and two-metre-wide with launch weight of around 50 tonnes. Unlike other missiles of the Agni series, the latest one Agni-V is the most advanced version having some new technologies incorporated in it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.
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) ensured the missile reach the target point within a few meters of accuracy.
The high-speed onboard computer and fault-tolerant software along with a robust and reliable bus guided the missile flawlessly, said Defence sources.In the Agni series, India at present has Agni-1 with a 700-km range, Agni-2 with 2,000-km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500-km to more than 3,500-range.Agni-V would be inducted into the armed services after some more trials, the sources said.