The nuclear-capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile was successfully test-fired from the Chandipur test range near her on Wednesday.
The indigenously-developed missile was fired from the launch pad number-3 of the test range at 9.40 am, said a source in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
As part of a regular exercise, the missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) and monitored by DRDO scientists.
Notably, Prithvi is India’s first indigenously-built ballistic missile. It is one of the five missiles under the country’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
Powered by twin engines that use liquid propulsion, the missile uses the advanced inertial guidance system with a manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target. It can hit the target within a few metres of accuracy.
The battlefield missile, with flight duration of 483 seconds and a peak altitude of 43.5 km, can carry a 500-kg warhead. It has a strike range of 350 km. It is 8.56 metre in length, 1.1 metre in width and weighs 4,600 kg.
It has a higher lethal effect compared to equivalent missiles in the world. Scientists say the accuracy has already been demonstrated in the past in the development flight trials.
The missile was first test-fired on January 27, 1996 and inducted into Indian Army in 2003.