India successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) of its most ambitious ‘K’ series from an underwater platform off the Visakhapatanam coast.
The 750-km range missile, codenamed B-05, was reportedly launched from a submerged pontoon in full operational configuration on Monday.
The user associate launch was conducted by the defence personnel in association with Indian Navy. Defence sources said the pontoon was positioned inside the sea, about
8 km from Visakhapatnam coastline. The missile was fired from 20-metre deep water.
Developed by DRDO,
B-05 is about 10 metres long with one metre diameter. Its launch weight is about 10 tonnes. This missile uses solid propellant. It can carry a conventional payload of about 500 kg. Tactical nuclear warhead can also be fitted to it.
Tested several times earlier, the missile is ready for induction. This is said to be second user associate launch of the missile which would propel the armed forces to go for the first user trial of the missile.
Launched underwater, it surges to the surface and is the world’s best weapon in this class.
The DRDO has begun its production. After its induction, the missile will equip the country’s first nuclear-powered submarine ANS Arihant.
“
This missile has got both the versions __ SLBM and SLCM (submarine-launched cruise missile)
. While cruise missile is a loose trajectory missile guided to its destination by an onboard computer, ballistic has a high-trajectory and transcends the atmosphere to re-enter from above the targeted site,” a defence scientist said.
The DRDO was focusing on the success of the missile as only a few countries have the triad of firing nuclear-tipped missiles from air, land and undersea. Other countries, which have the capability, include Russia, the US, France, the UK and China.
The source further said that the Navy has reportedly been insisting on the test of B-05’s cruise variant as it is difficult to be obstructed and has pinpoint accuracy. It engages in a series of terminal manoeuvres designed to defeat enemy missile defences.
Sources said the DRDO would
soon test this missile from a submarine to gauge its effectiveness.
This test, the source indicated, would pave the way for the maiden trial of K-4 missile, which has a strike range of nearly 3,000 km.
India Test-fires Missile from Underwater Platform -The New Indian Express
what the hell ..? which one did they test fire K-4 or BO-5 ..?
