Balasore (Orissa), December 14
‘Akash’, the indigenously developed surface-to-air nuclear capable missile, was today successfully test-fired for the second time in two days from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, 15 km from here.

The multi-target medium range missile with a strike range of 25 km and capable of carrying a warhead of 50 kg was test fired from a mobile launcher as part of an air defence exercise (ADE), defence sources said.

The 5.6-m-long missile, weighing about 700 kg, was blasted off at 1410 hrs from the ITR. It targeted a flying "para barrel" released from a fighter aircraft. Some IAF officials were present during the trial.

The missile uses an integral 'ramjet' rocket propulsion system and has a low reaction time, the sources said.

Coming close on the heels of successful trials of interceptor missiles, the test-fire was done to fine-tune the sophisticated 'Akash' which has undergone several tests earlier as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, the sources said.

A series of test firings of the missile would be carried out for the next ten days to pave the way for its induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the nodal agency which has designed the missile, has already approved 'flight consistency' of the missile, they said.

‘Akash” operates in conjunction with the indigenously built 'Rajendra' — a surveillance and engagement radar being developed by Hyderabad-based Electronic Research and Development Establishment, they said. — PTI