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Agni-III

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Main article: Agni missile system
Agni-III
TypeIntermediate Range Ballistic Missile
Place of originIndia
Service history
In serviceUnder induction
Used byIndian Army
Production history
ManufacturerDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Unit cost₹25 crore (US$3 million) - ₹35 crore (US$4 million)[1]
Specifications
Mass48,000 kg[2]
Length17 m[3]
Diameter2.0 m[3]
WingspanUnknown
WarheadStrategic nuclear (~15 KT to ~250 KT[~2000Kg-~2500Kg]), conventional HE-unitary, penetration, sub-munitions, incendiary or fuel air explosives. Indications report that the missile has advanced and the warhead has undergone huge and massive development in technologly and high engineering, so it could carry over more than 1 MT if possible in future tests. This development has missed a place in Agni 3, as per the recent announcements it may be a part of Agni 5, so it could be one of the four nations (Russia, China, France and US) to carry 1MT warhead in a missile.
EngineTwo stage solid propellant engine
Operational
range
3500 km - 5500 km
Flight altitude> 90 km
Maximum speed 5-6 km/s (Agni-II)[4]
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-III is an intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by India as the successor to Agni-II.[5] The ballistic missile has a range of 3,500 km- 5500 km,[6] which means that India is capable of engaging targets deep inside neighbouring countries.[7] The missile’s Circular Error Probable (CEP) is within 40 meters range, which makes it one of the most sophisticated and accurate ballistic missiles of its range class in the world.[8]

Introduction

India's Minimum Credible Nuclear Deterrence envisages a triad of nuclear counterstrike capability which required a long range missile to provide robust second strike capability. A missile system that can be dispersed far and wide in the Indian mainland, its far flung islands or its blue water naval assets dispersed across the world's oceans. Following this necessity India developed a larger Agni-III missile, with a heavier payload and a longer range but in a compact configuration, i.e. thicker but shorter length. This development is driven by need for a more assured retaliation that can defeat emerging ABM defenses and countermeasures. Such capability requires a compact missile that can also carry ABM counter-measure payloads along with weapons, in a configuration similar to MIRV, albeit with state of the art decoys.

Description

Agni III an intermediate-range ballistic missile was developed by India as the successor to Agni-II.[5] Designed by the Indian government's Defence Research and Development Organisation, Agni III is intended to be a two-stage ballistic missile that is capable of nuclear weapons delivery.

The Agni-III has two stages with an overall diameter of 2.0 m. The first stage mass is about 32 tonnes and 7.7 m long, the second stage mass is about 10 tonnes and 3.3 m long. The missile is likely to support a wide range of warhead configurations, with a 4,500 km range and a total payload weight of 2490 kg.[9]

The stubby two-stage solid fuel missile is compact and small enough for easy mobility and flexible deployment on various surface/sub-surface platforms.

The missile is equipped with sophisticated navigation, guidance and control systems along with advanced on-board computer systems. The electronic systems are hardened for higher vibration, thermal and acoustic effects. A high performance indigenous ring laser gyro-based navigation system was flight-tested for the first time during the last Agni-III trial.[10]

Propulsion

The Agni-III features two solid fuelled stages and with overall diameter of 2.0 meters. This diameter is compatible with a recently tested Indian sub-surface launch system, which has a 2.3 meter diameter launch tube aperture.

First stage booster

The first stage booster is made of advanced carbon composite materials to provide high mass fraction. It weighs about 32 tonnes, is 7.7 meters long and diameter of 2 meter.

Second stage

The second stage made of maraging steel weighing about 11 tonnes and a length of 3.3 meters. The second stage has flex nozzles, to provide necessary flight trajectory control.

Maneuvering re-entry vehicle: Agni RV-Mk.4

Agni-III supports a wide range of weapons, with total payload weight ranging from ~600 kg to 1,800 kg including decoys and other ABM countermeasures. Instead of conventional bus architecture, the RV (Re-Entry Vehicle) is self-contained with velocity correction package, navigation and re-entry control systems.

Lighter and tougher RV body with all carbon composite re-entry heat shield with multi directional carbon re-entry nose tip and control surfaces, the new lightweight composites can withstand temperatures of up to 6000 degrees Celsius, and capable of greater re-entry velocity.

K-4 SLBM

The K-4 [11] missile is one of the series of missile developed under the K-X series.[12] DRDO is working on a Submarine Launched Version of the Agni-III missile, which will provide India with a credible sea based second strike capability.[13] The K-4 missile is expected to be test fired for the second time in January 2011[14]

Flight tests

Agni missile range.

The first test for Agni III was conducted from Wheeler Island off the Bhadrak coast on July 9, 2006.[15] The launch proved to be unsuccessful with the missile falling into the sea off the coast of Orissa, short of reaching the target. According to DRDO, the failure was due to a first stage anomaly that was caused by recirculating hot gases entering the missile-base shroud and damaging the electronic components.[16] Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee reported it as "partial success" (a trade euphemism to indicate the test generated useful data for diagnosis and correction) as the missile was air-borne for only 5 minutes instead of the expected 15 minutes.[17]

Agni-III was test fired again on April 12, 2007 from the Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa. This time, the launch was declared as a success. India's Cabinet Committee on Security announced that [18] "This test confirms the extent of India's nuclear reach and India's nuclear deterrence as the missile can accurately hit targets at distance more than 3000 km away".[19] Already the most powerful and capable in India's missile inventory, the Agni-III is capable of carrying a variety of warheads, including nuclear warheads and can be launched from various platforms giving India intermediate range ballistic missile firepower and greatly extending India's power projection in the region.[20][21]

Agni III was test fired successfully for third time on May 7, 2008.[22] The missile was launched from Balasore, Orissa.[23] After a flight of roughly 15 minutes defense scientists confirmed that the test fire was successful and that the missile met all parameters. The missile has a velocity of 5,000 meters per second. Agni-III is a nuclear capable fully solid propellant fueled surface-to-surface missile, and has a range of 3,500 km. A new software for navigation system fitted on the missile, will increase accuracy and lethality.[24] The successful test on May 7, will open door for next generation Indian ICBM Agni-V which will have firing range of 5000-6,000 kilometer.[25]

Agni III was tested successfully for the fourth time from Wheelers Island in Orissa on February 7, 2010. The missile is said to have hit the target with pin point accuracy and met all the mission objectives. Two down range ships located near the target tracked and witnessed the Missile reaching the target accurately.[26] The missile is likely to support a wide range of warhead configurations, with a 3,500 km range and a total payload weight of 2490 kg. The two-stage solid fuel missile is compact and small enough for easy mobility and flexible deployment on various surface/sub-surface platforms. The last development test of Agni III was conducted in August 2009 before being handed over to the army for user trails.[27] The test validated the nuclear triggering mechanism, meaning Agni-III is meant for strategic nuclear deterrence.[28] The test launch is part of pre-induction of the missile into the Indian Army.[29]

In August 2010, the defence minister of India announced that Agni-III is ready for induction.[30]

References

  1. ^ "Technical tune to Agni test before talks". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
  2. ^ "Small satellites can be armed to protect space assets: Scientist". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  3. ^ a b "India tests long-range nuclear-capable Agni-III missile". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2010-02-07. [dead link]
  4. ^ Vishwakarma, Arun (2007-07-01). "Indian Long Range Strategic Missiles" (PDF). Lancer Publishers and Distributors. Archived from the original (pdf) on 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
  5. ^ a b "Agni-III test fired by India". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2006-07-09.
  6. ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Images/Graph_payload_vs_range_r2A_700pixle.jpg
  7. ^ "Agni - India Missile Special Weapons Deilivery System". Retrieved 2009-05-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Successful Agni-III missile tests provide India with a credible deterrent, boost for DRDO". Retrieved 2010-02-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |Publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Agni-III test fired by India". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2006-07-09.
  10. ^ Nuclear-capable Agni-III missile successfully tested
  11. ^ http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/11/mag-report-indias-secret-k-missile.html
  12. ^ http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=53210&Itemid=1&sectionid=40&completeview=1
  13. ^ DRDO working on 5,500 Km Agni
  14. ^ The secret 'K' missile family
  15. ^ "Agni-III test fired by India". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2006-07-09.
  16. ^ T.S. Subramanian. "Next objective: a 5,000-km Agni". Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  17. ^ "Indian missile test 'was failure'". BBC. 2006-07-10.
  18. ^ "Agni test fired successfully". IBN Live. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  19. ^ "AGNI III LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY". Govt. of India. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  20. ^ Arun Vishwakarma. "AGNI - Strategic Ballistic Missile". Archived from the original on 2007-04-10. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  21. ^ India's missile power lifts off - An U.S perspective on India's missile power
  22. ^ Agni-3 flight tested successfully for the third time
  23. ^ http://livefist.blogspot.com/2009/08/agni-iiis-final-development-test-this.html
  24. ^ Agni-III launch on May 7
  25. ^ India Test Fires Agni-III Third Time
  26. ^ Fourth Test Flight of Long Range Missile AGNI-3 Successful
  27. ^ India’s Missile Programme: Augmenting Firepower
  28. ^ AGNI-III test-fired successfully
  29. ^ Indian Army ready to induct long range missile Agni-3
  30. ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/report_agni-iii-ready-for-induction-ak-antony_1420970
  1. Bharat-Rakshak Home
  2. Bharat-Rakshak Missiles Section: AGNI - Strategic Ballistic Missile
  3. Video of Agni-III test
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