Before celebrating the success, let’s spare a moment to appreciate the scientists who worked behind the scenes. According to the defence sources, India successfully performed an interceptor missile test off the Odisha coast Sunday night, creating history in developing a two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system.
The sources added that the interceptor missile was launched from Abdul Kalam Island, previously known as Wheeler Island of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), at about 8.05 pm. This Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) mission is for connecting the targets in the exo-atmosphere region at a height above 50 km of the earth’s atmosphere, a senior Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist said.
“Both the PDV interceptor and the target missile were successfully engaged,” DRDO sources said.
In a recent automated operation, radar-based detection and tracking system recognised and tracked the enemy’s ballistic missile. This new weapon can easily shoot down Chinese and Pakistani’s nuclear missiles.
The computer network with the assistance of data gathered from radars had accurately predicted the trajectory of the incoming ballistic missile. The PDV that was kept ready took off as soon as the computer system gave the command for lift-off.
The sources added saying that the interceptor was deftly steered by high-accuracy Inertial Navigation System (INS) and supported by a Redundant Micro Navigation System shifted towards the calculated point of the interception.
As soon as the missile inched past the atmosphere, the Heat Shield ejected and the IR Seeker dome opened up only to aim at the target as designated by the mission computer. With the complete assistance of Inertial Guidance and IR Seeker, the missile moved for an interception. All events were closely monitored and recorded in real-time by the Range Stations, at several other locations.
Inputs From PTI
