K-4 (missile): Difference between revisions
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The K-4 is one of the most ambitious projects of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and it was kept under wrap for years. The K-4 missile is about 12 metre tall having a diameter of 1.3 metre and weighs around 17 tonne. It is capable of carrying a warhead of around 2 tonne and uses solid propellant.This missile could be best characterised as a hypersonic cruise missile as the missile would remain within the earth’s atmosphere during it's entire flight duration following a zig-zag path in three dimensions thus making it even more survivable. Defence scientists associated with the K-4 missile stated that the aim of the missile was to achieve close to zero circular error probability (CEP) accuracy. <ref name=ie_hr>[http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Longest-Range-Ballistic-Missile-All-Set-for-Undersea-Launch/2013/12/10/article1937718.ece ''Indian Express'', Longest Range Ballistic Missile All Set for Undersea Launch]</ref> |
The K-4 is one of the most ambitious projects of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and it was kept under wrap for years. The K-4 missile is about 12 metre tall having a diameter of 1.3 metre and weighs around 17 tonne. It is capable of carrying a warhead of around 2 tonne and uses solid propellant.This missile could be best characterised as a hypersonic cruise missile as the missile would remain within the earth’s atmosphere during it's entire flight duration following a zig-zag path in three dimensions thus making it even more survivable. Defence scientists associated with the K-4 missile stated that the aim of the missile was to achieve close to zero circular error probability (CEP) accuracy. <ref name=ie_hr>[http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Longest-Range-Ballistic-Missile-All-Set-for-Undersea-Launch/2013/12/10/article1937718.ece ''Indian Express'', Longest Range Ballistic Missile All Set for Undersea Launch]</ref> |
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Once inducted, the missile will not only complete India’s third leg of the nuclear deterrent, but also be the second strike weapon system in its much touted nuclear doctrine. It can target major Chinese cities even remaining away from the Chinese water. |
Once inducted, the missile will not only complete India’s third leg of the nuclear deterrent, but also be the second strike weapon system in its much touted nuclear doctrine. It can target major Chinese cities even remaining away from the Chinese water.<ref name=ie_hr /> |
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The next missile in this series is K-5 which will have a strike range of nearly 5,000 km. |
The next missile in this series is K-5 which will have a strike range of nearly 5,000 km.<ref name=ie_hr /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 07:00, 10 December 2013
| K-4 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intermediate-Range SLBM |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Under-Development |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | DRDO |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 20 t (22 short tons) |
| Length | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.3 m (4.3 ft) |
| Warhead | 2,500 kg (5,500 lb)[1] Nuclear |
| Engine | Solid-fueled |
Operational range | 3500 km |
Launch platform | Arihant class submarines |
K-4 is an intermediate-range nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile under development by DRDO of India to arm the Arihant class submarine and to complement K-15 Sagarika. The missile has an effective range of 3500 km.[2]
Development
Difficulties with compacting the Agni-III to fit the 10 metre diameter INS Arihant hull led to the development of K-4. K-4 features range comparable to Agni-III while being significantly smaller in size (12m vs 17m). INS Arihant will carry 4 K-4s or 12 K-15s.[3] The K-4 gas-booster were successfully tested from a submerged pontoon in 2010.[4] There will be at least six tests before induction of K-4 which is likely to take place in 2017.[5]
Description
The K-4 is one of the most ambitious projects of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and it was kept under wrap for years. The K-4 missile is about 12 metre tall having a diameter of 1.3 metre and weighs around 17 tonne. It is capable of carrying a warhead of around 2 tonne and uses solid propellant.This missile could be best characterised as a hypersonic cruise missile as the missile would remain within the earth’s atmosphere during it's entire flight duration following a zig-zag path in three dimensions thus making it even more survivable. Defence scientists associated with the K-4 missile stated that the aim of the missile was to achieve close to zero circular error probability (CEP) accuracy. [6]
Once inducted, the missile will not only complete India’s third leg of the nuclear deterrent, but also be the second strike weapon system in its much touted nuclear doctrine. It can target major Chinese cities even remaining away from the Chinese water.[6]
The next missile in this series is K-5 which will have a strike range of nearly 5,000 km.[6]
See also
References
- ^ India to test a submarine-based ballistic missile
- ^ "India successfully test-fires underwater missile". The Hindu. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
- ^ http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/awst/2011/06/13/AW_06_13_2011_p39-333462.xml
- ^ The Hindu, DRDO plans another K-15 missile launch
- ^ India Today, The secret 'K' missile family: The Big Story
- ^ a b c Indian Express, Longest Range Ballistic Missile All Set for Undersea Launch