DRDO scientists successfully conducted an interceptor missile test off Wheeler Island near the Odisha coast on Sunday night. It was a major step in achieving development of a two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system.
In a fully automated operation, radar-based detection and tracking system detected and tracked an incoming enemy’s ballistic missile.
The computer network with the help of data received from radars predicted the trajectory of the incoming ballistic missile. The PDV that was kept fully ready took off once the computer system gave the command for lift-off.
The interceptor a version of Prithvi Missile was then launched from Abdul Kalam Integrated Test Range (ITR), at about 8.05 pm. This Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) has been developed for engaging targets in the exo-atmosphere region at an altitude above 50 km of the earth’s atmosphere explained a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist. Both the PDV interceptor and the target missile were successfully engaged.
The 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 defensive Prithvi missile crossed the atmosphere, the Heat Shield ejected and the IR Seeker dome opened to look at the incoming enemy missile’s location as designated by the mission computer. With the help of Inertial Guidance and IR Seeker the prithvi missile moved for interception.
All events were monitored in real-time by the Telemetry/Range Stations, at various other locations. Interceptor was successfully test fired last from the same base on February 11, 2017.
So, though we are presently negotiating with Russia for five batteries of S400 missile systems, in foreseeable future, the balance requirement of around 9 additional systems for covering the entire sub continent including A& N will be met by our own indigenous system.
