Two Akash missiles test-fired in Odisha
Gujarat Global News Network, Odisha
Two surface-to-air anti-aircraft 'Akash' missiles were test fired today, the third time in five days, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur near here, achieving success in one while the data of the second trial was being analysed.Â
"Two Akash missiles were launched from the ITR. While one test was successful, data for the other is still being analysed," said ITR Director M V K V Prasad. Each missile was aimed at intercepting a floating object supported by a pilotless target aircraft at a definite altitude over the sea.
The double test-fire came after trials of the indigenous missile, with a range of 25 km and capable of carrying a warhead of 60 kg to neutralise aerial targets, on May 24 and 26. "It was a routine user trial conducted by the defence forces after completion of developmental test and induction into the defence armoury," an official of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said.Â
After the launch, assessment was made with data retrieved from telemetry stations and radars. Akash, an anti-aircraft defence system, could simultaneously engage several targets with 'Rajendra' radar developed by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a DRDO laboratory in Bangalore.Â
The radar carries out the surveillance, tracks the target, acquires it and guides the missile towards it. Rajendra is a 'passive phased array radar'. It is multifunction radar, capable of tracking 64 targets and controlling up to 12 missiles simultaneously.Â
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