AGNI 1 MISSILE

India  successfully  test-fired nuclear capable  surface-to-surface Agni I missile for its full range of 700 km from Wheeler Island, off  the  Odisha coast. The single-stage, solid-fuelled missile was launched  from a road mobile launcher by personnel of  the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) as part of a regular training exercise. It was a text-book launch and the missile, carrying a dummy payload weighing one tonne, splashed down near the pre-designated target point with double-digit accuracy, a top Defence Research and Development Organisation scientist said.It was the 11th launch of Agni-1, and the on-board computer and the inertial navigation system steered the missile towards its target.Agni-1 was developed by DRDO missile technologists in a short span of 15 months after the need for it was perceived by the defence services following the Kargil conflict.

The Agni missile (Sanskrit: अग्नि, Agnī, "fire" and also the Hindu god of fire) is a family of medium to intercontinental range ballistic missiles developed by India, named after one of the five elements of nature. The first missile of the series, Agni-I was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program and tested 1991. After its success, Agni missile program was separated from the IGMDP upon realizing its strategic importance. It was designated as a special program in India's defence budget and provided adequate funds for subsequent development. As of 2008, the Agni missile family comprises three deployed variants while two more variants are under testing:The two-stage Agni technology demonstrator, with a solid-fuel first stage, was first tested at the Interim Test Range in Chandipur in 1989. It was capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) or a nuclear warhead. This original technology demonstrator evolved into the solid-fuel Agni-1 and Agni-2 missiles. India first developed the two-stage 2000 km range Agni-2, testing it in 1999. It then used the first stage of this system to develop the 700 km range single-stage Agni-1, which was first tested in January 2002.Weighing 12 tonne with a length of 15 metres, Agni-1 has a range of 700--1250 kmand is capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) or a nuclear warhead at a speed of 2.5 km/s. Agni missiles consist of one (short range) or two stages (intermediate range). These are rail and road mobile and powered by solid propellants. Agni-I is used by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the Indian Army.On 13 July 2012, India test fired Agni I successfully at Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.

     

The Agni-1 strategic ballistic missile was test fired by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army with logistic support from the state-run DRDO. DRDO officials indicated that the last trial of the Agni-I missile was successfully carried out in November last year. Although already inducted into the Armed Forces, user trials Agni-1 missile will be executed to keep improving the skills of the defence personnel.
With the 700 kilometer range Agni-1 missile, India will fill the gap between Prithvi and Agni II missiles with ranges of 250 kilometers and 2,500 kilometers. Agni missiles have four variations with missiles ranging from 700 kilometer to the latest 3,500 kilometer-range Agni-IV missile. Basically, the Agni-1 missile is a scaled-down version of Agni-II, which has two stages. Agni-II's first stage was re-configured to become Agni-I intermediate range missile. The nuclear-capable Agni-I ballistic missile was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), the premier missile development laboratory of the DRDO. The collaborators in this project included Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) while the missile was integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The Agni-I missile is 15 metres tall with one metre diameter and a weight of 12 tonnes. It is a single-stage vehicle powered by solid propellants and can carry a one-tonne nuclear warhead. Agni-I missile has a specialized navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy.   Indian missile technology is surely coming of age with rapid tests and development of missiles in the recent past. The test-firing of Agni-1 missile was the fifth success in a row since a series of missiles were launched from September this year including the test-flights of Shourya, Prithvi-II,  Agni-II and Agni-IV missiles. DRDO is all set to launch the Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile soon. Other significant DRDO achievements include the creation of the tactical Prahar missile with a 150 kilometres range as well as a successful Ballistic Missile Defence system.