India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-IV

India on Tuesday successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable strategic ballistic missile Agni-IV from a test range off the Odisha coast.

This was the fourth trial of the Agni-IV missile. The last trial was carried out successfully on January 20 this year from the same test range off the Odisha coast.

Supported by a mobile launcher, the sleek missile, which has strike range of about 4,000 km, was flight tested from the launch complex-4 of an integrated test range at Wheeler Island, at about 10.20 am.

The test conducted by the specially formed Strategic Force Command was successful, said Ravi Kumar Gupta, director of the directorate of public interface, Defence Research and Development Organisation.

"The sophisticated surface-to-surface missile is equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide high level of reliability," sources said.

The Agni-IV missile is equipped with state of the art avionics, fifth generation on-board computer and distributed architecture. It has the latest features to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances.

The most accurate ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system and supported by highly reliable redundant micro navigation system, ensures the vehicle reaches the target within two digit accuracy.

The re-entry heat shield can withstand temperatures in the range of 4,000 degree centigrade and makes sure the avionics function normally with inside temperature remaining less than 50 degree centigrade. Agni-I, II and III and Prithvi are already in the arsenal of armed forces, giving them reach of over 3,000 km, giving India an effective deterrence capability, they said.

Radars and electro-optical systems positioned along the coast of Odisha tracked and monitored all the parameters of the missile, the sources said, adding that two Indian naval ships anchored near the target area witnessed the final event.

Photograph: DRDO