BALASORE: With India’s longest range nuke-capable missile Agni-V readying for the maiden test in February besides a few other new weapons later, the year 2012 seems to be more challenging for Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).Defence scientists have planned to test-fire the 5,000-km range intercontinental ballistic missile by February-end followed by the development trials of the newly developed weapons like Prahaar and Agni-IV. Besides, several technology demonstrations are also on the cards. The tasks seem challenging with proven missiles like the Prithvi-II and Agni-II having failed during user trials last year. Though the scientists successfully conducted maiden tests of the two new missiles - Prahaar and Agni-IV - on July 21 and November 15 respectively, the DRDO drew flak from several quarters for the failures of Prithvi-II, Agni-II and Astra missiles on December 21, August 29 and May 20 and 21 respectively. But it wasn’t all bad for the DRDO scientists. The tactical missile Prahaar and 3,000-plus km range intermediate range ballistic missile Agni-IV were successfully test-fired from the integrated test range off Odisha coast last year. ‘Prahaar’ has greater manoeuvring capability, acceleration and can be deployed in various kinds of terrain making it more effective against the strategic targets. Agni-IV is lighter than Agni-III and has been developed with the latest technologies and computing mechanism. While Agni-III is test-fired from rail mobile launcher, Agni-IV from road mobile launcher which gives it more flexibility and wide range of operational success. The year 2011 proved to be a mixed bag for DRDO. Out of 13 tests of missiles of nine categories, nine were successful. Among the unsuccessful missiles was Prithvi-II which had already been inducted into Army and tested successfully more than 50 times earlier. The first leg of the year was crucial for the DRDO as it had to postpone the much awaited test of advanced air defence (AAD) interceptor and submarine launched ballistic missile K-15 in February. Though the AAD interceptor was later tested successfully, there was no report whether the scientists have rectified the technical glitches developed in the K-15 system. While in May beyond visual range Astra missile failed twice, in September the country saw three successful trials of Shourya, Prithvi-II and Agni-II missiles in six days. Misfortune again struck the country’s elite organisation on December 21 when two Prithvi-II missiles failed to take-off during twin user trials due to lack of sufficient initial thrust. The fresh test is yet to be scheduled.
Comments
0 comment