India conducts mock test for interceptor missile

Balasore(Orissa): A mock and solo test-fire of the indigenously developed unnamed interceptor missile was conducted over Bay of Bengal on Sunday prior to the user’s trial.

The interceptor, akin to India's guided missile Prithvi, was test-fired from a mobile launcher at 10.44 am from the integrated test range (ITR) launch pad at Wheeler's Island, about 70 nautical miles from here, defence sources said.

The interceptor missile, labelled in Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) only as Axo (atmospheric intercept system), has its own mobile launcher, secured data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capability, and its own radar, sources said.

The data of Sunday’s mock trial would be analysed and final trial of two missiles — one target and another interceptor launched from two different locations — is likely to be taken up towards the end of this week, they added.

A similar successful trial was conducted on December 27 last year.

As a precautionary measure, the district administration of Bhadrak had alerted fishermen not to venture into the sea during the time of the test fire.

The single stage interceptor missile was launched against an electronic ballistic missile as target, an official release said.

It said the Endo-atmospheric interceptor intercepted the missile at 15 km altitude, exactly as designed, and all the elements of the ballistic missile defence required for control and monitoring performed in a copybook fashion.
It also said that high-tech instrumentation provided precise and accurate data regarding the performance of the interceptor missile.

“This has given confidence to the scientists to proceed with the next test that shall see adversary ballistic missile being intercepted by ‘Endo-atmospheric’ interceptor missile,” the release said adding that the next test was expected to take place shortly.

Source: mumbaimirror.com