Balasore (Orissa), Dec 14: For the second consecutive day today medium range surface-to-air missile 'Akash' was successfully test fired from the Integrated Test Range(ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from here.

According to ITR sources the missile, considered one of the major milestones in the country's integrated guided missile development programme, was test fired at 1410 hrs. Prior to that, the ITR authorities successfully flight tested Pilot-less Target Aircraft(PTA) which dropped an object mid sky and was targeted by 'Akash', test fired from the ITR base.

Scientists of the Defence Research Development Organisation(DRDO) and the ITR witnessed the test flight of the 25 km range 'Akash' which could be used to counter the anti-ballistic missile and enemy aircraft.

The 650 kg missile has the capacity to carry a warhead of 50 kg payload and uses the integrated two-stage ramjet propulsion technology.

The missile has the advanced booster and ramjet propulsion having a multiple target of handling capability which incorporated state-of-the-art technology. It has undergone several flight tests earlier from the ITR.


UNI