AGNI - V; A marvel on Engineers Day of India

On Sep 15, 2013 on which Engineers day is celebrated, India successfully test fired its inter-continental ballistic missile Agni - V (read as Agni 5) for the second time. Its maiden launch took place in April 2012. The following  are the major specifications of Agni V.

• Missile Type - Intercontinental surface- surface ballistic missile (ICBM)
• Strike Range - 5000 km ( 5000 Km - 8000 km)
• Nuclear Payload - over one ton
• Launching base - Wheelers Island, Orissa
• Dimensions - ( 17m * 2m)
• Launch Weight - around 50 ton

Agni V, developed by Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was tested on a predefined path of 5000 Km and it accurately hit the destination with expected precision. The missile is powered by three-stage solid rocket motors and has flawless auto mode launch. Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINS) which are most advanced navigational systems used ensured its accuracy. The navigation systems are also aided by high speed onboard fault-tolerant software. Avinash Chander, Secretary of Dept of Defence R&D guided the launch while R K Gupta, project director guided the personnel of DRDO.

Missile Range of Agni Series (click to enlarge)

By this, India has joined the club of countries having long range weapons; America, China, Russia, France , Britain and Israel. On the Occasion, DRDO chief Avinash Chander said that India already has ability to produce 10000 Km missile but accuracy aspect has yet to be worked out. Trails will be run next year on INS Arihant, India's first indigenously developed Nuclear Submarine. Two years from now, the production of Agni V will be completed and will be supplied to Indian army. Behold! Entire china comes under its target range.

The success of Agni V is no doubt a great milestone in the long range weapons of  India

Made in Hyderabad by India for India

It's a proud moment for Hyderabadis since 90% of Agni V development took place in Hyderabad  based Research centers. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Advanced System Labs (ASL), Defence Research Development Labs(DRDL) have contributed immensely towards missile development. Many small and significant jobs are outsourced to more than 100 private industries in and around the city.