can somebody post technical details of the proposed missile so that we can see how potent it actually is?
the other day i read that india had synthesized cl-20 which is the most powerful non nuclear explosive on the planet....can somebody confirm that plz.
Introduction
The Agni-II+ is a two stage, solid propellant, rail and road mobile missile.
Though developed from Agni-II it is described by DRDO as a completely new missile.
New Technologies
The missile incorporates advanced technologies developed by DRDO for other missile projects including composite rocket motor and indigeneous ring-laser gyro navigation system.
Higher Thrust to Weight Ratio
On
October 8, 2010, Director-General of the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
V.K. Saraswat said that
Agni-II Plus, a modified version of the Agni-II strategic missile,
have a higher range, higher performance, with respect to the thrust and weight ratio than Agni-II, which has a range of 2,000 km.
He was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the valedictory function of the Post Induction Training School (POINTS) at the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) in Pune.
Composite Rocket Motor
Flex Nozzle for Terminal Maneuvering
Open source analysis suggests the Agni-II+ variant features a flex nozzle on its second stage to allow the missile to be maneuvered to avoid ABM defenses, and is guided using an improved navigation system.
Agni-II was originally developed as a two stage solid propellant missile that could carry a 1000 kg warhead. However,
since its conception and design, India developed and tested much lighter warheads that packed the same punch as the original 1000 kg warhead, allowing the missile to carry extra propellant.
Extra Fuel
The missile is now rumored to carry extra fuel and a high altitude motor in its re-entry vehicle (RV) to allow for greater range or terminal maneuvering.
The reference to "special weapons" and on-board thrusters in an Indian Express report probably allude to a maneuvering or extended range warhead.
Increased Range
The Agni-II+ version of the missile has an improved range of 2,750 and 3,000 km against the 2,500 km range of teh Agni-II.
Test Flights
The missile was test fired for the first time from Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa at 10:00 a.m. local time on December 10, 2010. The launch took place in inclement weather.
The test failed; the missile veered off course and plunged into the sea. DRDO is in the process of determining the cause of the missile's failure.
Agni-II vs Agni-II+
Press reports have referred to the Agni-II+ missile being the same as Agni-II A2. There are reasons to believe that the Agni-II A2 differs from Angi-II+ but shares many technologies.
According to my analysis, DRDO is upgrading the Agni-II missile to A2 standard by adding flex nozzles on the second stage to evade ABM defenses. The A2 version of the missile was successfully tested on May 17, 2010 after two successive failures. The press release for the test flight referred to the missile as A2
The Agni-II+ features improved acceleration (more powerful rocket motor) and extra fuel in addition to the flex nozzle. The extra fuel has probably been facilitated by the use of composites.
Both the versions of the missile feature improved navigation.
While the Agni-II A2 retains the dimensions of the Agni-II,
the Agni-II+ differs in dimensions and weight. DRDO scientists have referred to the missile as a complete new design.
It is interesting to not that Dr. Tessy Thomas, the first Indian woman to helm a missile project, specializes in navigation and worked with the flex nozzles on Agni-III, before she was picked to head the Agni-II project in 2008.
source> knol
