Agni-IV
| Agni-IV | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile |
| Place of origin |  India |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Indian Army |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 17000 kg[1] |
| Length | 20 m[1] |
| Warhead | Strategic nuclear (~15 KT to ~250 KT[~2,000Kg-~2,500Kg]), conventional, Thermobaric |
| Engine | Two stage solid propellant engine |
Operational range | 3500 km[2][1] |
| Flight altitude | 900 km |
Guidance system | Ring Laser Gyro- INS (Inertial Navigation System), optionally augmented by GPS terminal guidance with possible radar scene correlation |
Launch platform | 8 x 8 TELAR (Transporter erector launcher) Rail Mobile Launcher |
Agni-IV is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles which was earlier known as Agni II prime.[1] Agni-IV was tested on November 15, 2011 from Wheeler island off the coast of the eastern state of Odisha. With a range of 2,500-3,500 km[2] Agni-IV bridges the gap between Agni II and Agni III. Agni IV can take a warhead of 1 tonne. It is designed to increase the kill efficiency along with a higher range performance. Agni IV is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, that includes indigenously developed ring laser gyro and composite rocket motor. Its a two-stage missile powered by solid propellant. Its length is 20 meters and launch weight 17 tonnes.[1] It can be fired from a road mobile launcher.[1][3][4]
Efforts are being made to fine-tuning the Agni missiles to defeat anti-ballistic missile systems. Radar and other signatures of Agni-IV have been significantly reduced to make them much more immune to counter-measures.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Agni - IV successfully test fired". The Hindu. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
- ^ a b "India tests long-range nuclear-capable 'Agni-IV' missile". The Times of India. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
- ^ "India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile". Hindustan Times. 2011-11-15. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ "India tests nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile".
- ^ {http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Eyeing-China-India-to-enter-ICBM-club-in-3-months/articleshow/10761860.cms%7Ctitle=Eyeing China, India to enter ICBM club in 3 months}
