Agni-II to be testfired soon

[lilaspr]

efence scientists are preparing for a user's trial of surface-to-surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Agni-II, from
the defence base off the Orissa coast this week.

The indigenously developed missile will be fired from the launching complex-IV at the Wheeler's Island near Dhamra.

"Preparations are on in full swing. If everything goes as planned, the missile will be testfired between May 12 and May 14," said a source at the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-Sea.

It also said the test may be deferred by four-five days if there are problems reported during the preparations. Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) scientists are excited because this user trial will pave the way for the maiden test of Agni-IV that is now under development.

"The successful tests of Astra missile from the ITR have encouraged the scientists for user trial of Agni-II. They are doing everything to ensure it's a success story," a source said.

This missile is part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), while the other missiles include Prithvi, Trishul, Akash and Nag. Agni II has appropriate on-board thrusters fitted on the second stage of the missile. Both stages of Agni-II have a solid propulsion system which allows the missile to be mobile and flexible.

The Agni-II missile, which is 20 metres long, has a diameter of one meter and weighs 16 tonne, can neutralize a target at over 2,000 km range. It can carry a payload of around 1,000 kg and its range can also be increased to 3,000 km depending upon the payload. The missile will be used by 555 Missile Group of the Army.

"Agni-II can be fired from a rail-mobile launcher and is also available in road-mobile configuration. This lends flexibility and reduces vulnerability to first strike. It is in fact a ready-to-fire missile with a launch time of about 15 minutes," said a defence scientist, who added that Agni-II, along with Agni-I and Agni-III form the triad of the country's minimum, credible, nuclear deterrence.

Agni-II to be testfired soon

 

[Jai ho]

ALL THE BEST.... HOPE EVERYTHING GOES FINE.....

 

[Screaming Skull]

'User-trial' of surface-to-surface Agni-II missile on May 19​

13 May 2009,

NEW DELHI: In a step towards making the 2,000-km-plus Agni-II fully operational, the Army is slated to conduct a "training test-firing'' of the nuclear-capable missile on May 19.

This will be the first "training user-trial'' of Agni-II to give the Army requisite confidence and capability to fire the surface-to-surface missile on its own without the help of defence scientists.

The test of Agni-II, which weighs 17 tonnes and can carry a 1.15-tonne payload or warhead, will be undertaken from the test range at Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast.

Army has already undertaken the "training trials'' of 700-km Agni-I, which is designed to plug the operational gap between Prithvi (150-350 km) and Agni-II missiles.

As reported by TOI earlier, with active help from China and North Korea, Pakistan has stolen a march over India in the missile arena. The only nuclear-capable ballistic missile in India's arsenal which can be said to be 100% operational as of now is the short-range Prithvi missile.

Though Agni-I and Agni-II ballistic missiles are being "inducted'' into the armed forces, it will take "some time'' for them to become "fully-operational in the numbers required''.

The fourth test of 3,500-km Agni-III, which will give India the strategic capability to hit targets deep inside China is also on the anvil now. But Agni-III, tested successfully only twice in April 2007 and May 2008, will also not be ready for induction before 2012.

Then, of course, design work on India's most ambitious strategic missile with near ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) capabilities, the 5,000-km range Agni-V, which incorporates a third composite stage in the two-stage Agni-III, is also in progress. The Agni-V will be ready for its first test by 2010-2011.

'User-trial' of surface-to-surface Agni-II missile on May 19 - India - The Times of India

 

[Screaming Skull]

Agni-II test-launch postponed​

15 May 2009

BALASORE: The test-launch of surface-to-surface intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) Agni-II, that was scheduled between Tuesday and Thursday, has been postponed to next week. Sources at the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea said the test, considered a user trial, will be carried out after the counting of votes.

Hectic preparations were on at the Wheelers Island for the last one month for the test of the Agni-II missile, which has a strike range of over 2,000 km. All the preparations have reached the final stage but the defence scientists are waiting for the government’s nod, a source said.

The source further said that usually a missile is tested after the DRDO scientists receive green signal from the Cabinet Committee on Security Affairs and then clearance from the Lab Authorisation Board of DRDO. ‘‘If the scientists get ‘go ahead’ signal from the Cabinet, then the missile may be tested from the Orissa coast anytime between May 19 and 21.’’ The Agni-V, capable of hitting targets at a distance of 5,000-km, would derive most of its sub-systems from Agni-II though they would need sufficient scaling. Besides, there is a plan to develop Agni-IV as an intermediate step between Agni-III and Agni-V, said a defence scientist.

‘‘We have the capability to go in for even longer range missiles but it is the political leadership which has to take a decision. With the present scenario we are capable of developing the inter-continental ballistic missiles which can hit targets beyond the range of 10,000-km,’’ a defence scientist maintained.

Agni-II test-launch postponed