Surface-to-Surface missile Prithvi test fired
Balasore, Orissa, May 23: India today successfully testfired the indigenously built medium range surface-to-surface missile 'Prithvi' from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) on Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 kms from here. According to ITR sources, the missile, developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), was testfired from a mobile launcher from the Launch Complex-III at ITR at 1030 hours.
The
200-250
km
range
Prithvi,
designed
for
quick
maneuverability
and
war-time
efficiency,
soared
into
the
clear
blue
sky
hitting
the
built-up
target.
ITR
sources
further
said
the
missile
could
be
used
as
a
tactical
battlefield
weapon.
Although
it
has
a
range
of
250
km
with
a
700
kg
warhead,
the
payload
could
be
increased
to
1,000
kg.
The
first
testfiring
of
Prithvi
missile
was
conducted
on
February
22,
1988,
from
the
Rocket
launching
Centre
of
Sriharikota
in
Andhra
Prdaesh.
Since
then
several
testfires
had
been
conducted
in
the
ITR.
Prithvi is one of the five missiles under various stages of development as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). The Missile, sources said, was a modified version of the indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle(SLV-3) and used liquid propellant with almost all components made in the country.
Several scientists of the DRDO and officials of the ITR were present during the launching of Prithvi Missile from the launch complex.
UNI