The guided Pinaka rocket was successfully test-fired from ITR, Chandipur on Tuesday.
Pinaka Rocket Mark-II, equipped with navigation, guidance and control kit, has been transformed to a guided Pinaka. The conversion has facilitated to enhance its range and accuracy.
The mission met all the objectives. All the radars, electro optical and telemetry systems at ITR Chandipur tracked and monitored the vehicle all through the flight path. The guided Pinaka has been developed jointly by ARDE, Pune, RCI, Hyderabad and DRDl, Hyderabad ITR, Chandipur provided the range and launch support.
Director ARDE, Pune Dr KM Rajan, Director, RCI, Hyderabad BHVS Narayana Murthy, Director, ITR, Chandipur Dr BK Das, Director, HEMRl, Pune KPS Murthy and Director, PXE, Chandipur R Appavuraj monitored the launch operations.
Deputy Chief of Army Staff lt Gen Subrata Saha, DG Artillery lt Gen PK Srivastava and other senior officers of Army witnessed the launch.
Dr G Satheesh Reddy, SA to RM and DG (MSS), who was present during the launch operations, said the success of guided Pinaka has shown the capability of the county in converting unguided systems into precision weapons. Chairman DRDO Dr S Christopher said it is an example of synergy between armed forces and DRDO.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar congratulated both Army and DRDO for developing guided
Pinaka in a very short span of time.