Agni V test depends on prime success

BALASORE: The failed mission of December 2010 in mind, scientists pin much hope on the success of� test-flight of Agni-II Prime, expected to be conducted on November 10. A smooth test would mean first trial of India’s most powerful and longest range Agni-V missile, scheduled in December.

�The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning to test-fire the surface-to-surface nuclear-capable Agni-II Prime from the Wheelers Island near Dhamra. Spade-work for the indigenously built intermediate range ballistic missile has started. The project team from Hyderabad will arrive on October 28 to oversee the final preparations. Usually, a missile is tested after the mission team gets the nod from the Launch Authorisation Board (LAB) of the DRDO and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). An official said if the scientists get green signal from the board and the CCS as per the programme, the missile will definitely blast off on the scheduled date.

�“Agni-V, capable of hitting targets at a distance of 5,000 km, would derive most of its sub-systems from Agni-II Prime though they would need sufficient scaling. Besides, there is a plan to develop Agni-IV as an intermediate step between Agni-III and Agni-V,” said a defence scientist. The maiden test of Agni-II Prime was a failure with the missile deviating from the trajectory soon after takeoff. Instead of attaining the desired altitude, the missile plunged down just after a flight of 30 seconds as no stage separation occurred midway.

�Sources said this project was handled by a bunch of young scientists and this time they will leave no stone unturned to make the mission a success. Or else, it will be difficult for the DRDO to get the green signal for Agni-V.

- IBN Live