New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of phase-II ballistic missile defence interceptor AD-1 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on Wednesday.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the missile as a "unique type" of interceptor having advanced technologies. It is learnt that it is capable of engaging in different types of targets. The maiden flight test was conducted with the participation of all ballistic missile defence (BMD) weapon system elements located at different geographical locations.
"Defence Research & Development Organisation conducted a successful maiden flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor AD-1 missile with large kill altitude bracket from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on November 2," the Defence Ministry said.
Notably, the AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile that is designed for both "low exo-atmospheric" and "endo-atmospheric" interception of long-range ballistic missiles and aircraft.
The interceptor missile is propelled by a two-stage solid motor and is equipped with indigenously-developed advanced control system, navigation and guidance algorithm to guide the vehicle to its target, the ministry said.
"During the flight-test, all the sub-systems performed as per expectations and were validated by the data captured by a number of range sensors including radar, telemetry and electro optical tracking stations deployed to capture the flight data," the ministry said in a statement.
Congratulating the DRDO and other teams associated with the successful flight trial of AD-1, Rajnath Singh described the missile as "unique type" with advanced technologies that is available with a very few nations.
DRDO chairman Samir V Kamat also congratulated his team on the successful trial and said that the interceptor will provide great operational flexibility to its users and have capability to engage several different types of targets.