New Delhi, March 15: India’s missile test on Monday towards eventually developing a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield — by getting an interceptor missile to knock out an incoming ballistic missile — failed when the target missile deviated
from its trajectory. Since the target missile’s trajectory went awry, the mission control centre computer did not permit firing of the interceptor missile. The DRDO is investigating the cause of the failure of the target missile (a modification of the Prithvi surface-to-surface ballistic missile) to complete its proper trajectory.
This was supposed to be an endo-atmospheric test wherein the interceptor missile knocks out the incoming (enemy) ballistic missile within the earth’s atmosphere. The target missile was launched from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-Sea near Balasore in Orissa on Monday at 10.10 am while the interceptor was to be fired from Wheeler Island.
In New Delhi, the DRDO said: “The target missile took off in a normal way (but after 20 seconds) the target deviated due to some onboard system malfunction and could not maintain the intended trajectory, failing to attain the desired altitude profile. The mission control centre computer found that the interception is not warranted as the deviated target did not present the incoming missile threat scenario and accordingly the system intelligently did not allow takeoff of the interceptor missile for engaging the target. The cause of the target malfunction is being investigated by analysis of the data.”
The DRDO added: “The flight test under programme Air Defence (AD) was planned to be conducted on March 15 to demonstrate the interception of the tactical ballistic missile in the endo-atmospheric region. As part of the mission, a target missile mimicking the incoming ballistic missile in terms of altitude and speed was launched....”
India plans to conduct endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric tests (interceptor missiles knocking out the incoming missile within and outside the earth’s atmosphere respectively), following which an integrated test of the two will be conducted. DRDO officials had said last month that China had already conducted a BMD test in January. India hopes that it will not lag behind China in developing a BMD shield.
Age Correspondent
