India tests nuke-capable Agni-I missile
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Xinhua, December 1, 2011
India on Thursday successfully test-fired its nuclear capable Agni-I strategic ballistic missile, with a strike range of 700 km, as part of the Army's user trial from the test range at Wheeler Island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa, reported local media.
The indigenously developed surface-to-surface, single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, was test fired from a mobile launcher at about 09:25 am local time from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range, the Press Trust of India quoted defense sources as saying.
The test met the mission objectives, said the report.
Agni-I missile has a specialized navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy.
The trajectory of the missile, which has an operational strike range of 700 km, was tracked by sophisticated radars and electro- optic telemetry stations located along the sea coast and ships positioned near the impact point in the downrange area.
Weighing 12 tons, the 15-meter-long Agni-I, which can carry payloads up to 1,000 kg, has already been inducted into the Indian Army.
