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Bl[i]tZ
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The stage is set for 'twin' user trial of nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile in a real time situation. Indian Army will test the indigenously developed surface-to-surface ballistic missile from a defence base near Balasore on Wednesday.
Defence sources said the personnel of strategic forces command ( SFC), a specially raised wing of the Army to handle the missile, would carry out the test while the DRDO will provide all logistical support.
"Two Prithvi-II missiles have been planned to be tested in quick succession. If everything goes according to the plan and weather favours, the missiles would fly in the sky in between 8 am and 11 am," said a defence official.
Preparations for the scheduled test launch from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur here had reached the final stage on Tuesday. The defence official said range integration has been completed and the missiles have been integrated with the launcher.
"We are ready for the launch. Several user trials have been conducted earlier. This time the missiles will be tested in a real time situation so that the user can gauge the effectiveness and performance of the missile," said the official.
The missiles used for the test have been picked up randomly from the assembly line after production and will be launched with inertial navigation system. The aim and objective of the test will be to achieve single digit accuracy reaching close to zero circular error probability (CEP).
Prithvi-II has a strike range of 250 km to 350 km and the capability to carry 500 kg warhead. It has a length of nine meters with one metre diameter. It is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engine and uses Advanced Inertial Guidance System (AIGS) with maneouring trajectory and reaches the targets with an accuracy of a few meters.
The missile weighing around 4.6 tonne uses an inertial guidance system with reasonably good accuracy and the warhead uses a radar correlation terminal guidance system. It can be taken close to the forward line over any kind of terrain.
Scientists are leaving no stone unturned for the success of the test as during a test on September 24 last year the missile fell down immediately after it took off from the launch pad. The test this year was a success though.
Twin nuke missile test today - The Times of India
