PDV Missile photo:DRDO India successfully carried out a ballistic missile defense test using a new interceptor missile which destroye...
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| PDV Missile photo:DRDO |
India successfully carried out a ballistic missile defense test using a new interceptor missile which destroyed an incoming long-range mimicking missile on Sunday.
The test featured the new PDV interceptor missile, which is a two-stage solid propellant missile, unlike the Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) missile, from which it is derived. PDV mission is for engaging the targets in the exo-atmosphere region at about more than 120 km altitude.
The target missile mimicking the path of a hostile ballistic missile approaching from more than 2000 km was launched at 0907 hrs from a Naval Ship in the Bay of Bengal.
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| PAD Missile |
In an automated operation, radar based detection and tracking system detected and tracked the target ballistic missile. The computer network with the help of data received from radars predicted the trajectory of the incoming missile.
Four seconds after the target launch, the PDV interceptor was fired as the mission computer gave the necessary command for lift-off.
PDV Interceptor guided by high accuracy Inertial Navigation System (INS) supported by a Redundant Micro Navigation System moved towards the estimated point of the interception. Once the missile crossed the atmosphere, the heat shield was ejected and the IR Seeker dome opened to look at the Target location as designated by the Mission Computer. With the help of Inertial Guidance and IR Seeker the Missile acheived a successful interception.
India is developing a two layered Ballistic Missile Defence system to deal the missile threat from Pakistan.
The system consist of two interceptor missiles, namely the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile for lower altitude interception. The new PDV missile will replace the PAD missile in Phase-1.
The PAD intercept missiles at exo-atmospheric altitudes of 50–80 km and the AAD at endoatmospheric altitudes of up to 30 km. PAD is a modified Prithvi Surface to Surface missile operational with Indian armed forces with a range of 150-350 km.
The Phase-2 of the program will develop interception capabilities against Inter- continental ballistic missiles (ICBM) of more than 5000 km range.
Phase-1 will be operationalised by the end of 2014 with initial deployment in the capital New Delhi.
