.gif)
Agni-III (missile)
Encyclopedia
Agni-III is an intermediate-range ballistic missile
developed by India
as the successor to Agni-II. It has a range of 3,500 km- 5,000 km, and is capable of engaging targets deep inside neighboring countries. The missile’s Circular Error Probable (CEP) is within 40 meters range, which makes it most sophisticated and accurate ballistic missiles of its range class in the world. In June 2011, it was reported that Agni-III has been inducted into the armed forces and is under-production.
was developed by India as the successor to Agni-II. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The first test for Agni III was conducted from Wheeler Island
off the Bhadrak
coast on July 9, 2006. 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. 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.
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 "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".
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.
Agni III was test fired successfully for third time on May 7, 2008. The missile was launched from Balasore, Orissa. 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. The successful test on May 7, opened doors for next generation Indian ICBM Agni-V with a firing range of 5000-6,000 kilometer.
Agni III was tested successfully for the fourth time from Wheeler 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. 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. The test validated the nuclear triggering mechanism, meaning Agni-III is meant for strategic nuclear deterrence. The test launch is part of pre-induction of the missile into the Indian Army
.
In August 2010, the defence minister of India announced that Agni-III is ready for induction and in June 2011, it was reported that the Agni-III missile had already been inducted into the armed forces.
Intermediate-range ballistic missile
An intermediate-range ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a range of 3,000–5,500 km , between a medium-range ballistic missile and an intercontinental ballistic missile...
developed by India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
as the successor to Agni-II. It has a range of 3,500 km- 5,000 km, and is capable of engaging targets deep inside neighboring countries. The missile’s Circular Error Probable (CEP) is within 40 meters range, which makes it most sophisticated and accurate ballistic missiles of its range class in the world. In June 2011, it was reported that Agni-III has been inducted into the armed forces and is under-production.
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 missileIntermediate-range ballistic missile
An intermediate-range ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a range of 3,000–5,500 km , between a medium-range ballistic missile and an intercontinental ballistic missile...
was developed by India as the successor to Agni-II. Designed by the Indian government's
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
Defence Research and Development Organisation
Defence Research and Development Organisation
The Defence Research and Development Organisation is a agency of the Republic of India, responsible for the development of technology for use by the military, headquartered in New Delhi, India...
, Agni III is intended to be a two-stage
Multistage rocket
A multistage rocket is a rocket that usestwo or more stages, each of which contains its own engines and propellant. A tandem or serial stage is mounted on top of another stage; a parallel stage is attached alongside another stage. The result is effectively two or more rockets stacked on top of or...
ballistic missile
Ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
that is capable of nuclear weapons delivery
Nuclear weapons delivery
Nuclear weapons delivery is the technology and systems used to place a nuclear weapon at the position of detonation, on or near its target. Several methods have been developed to carry out this task....
.
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
Warhead
The term warhead refers to the explosive material and detonator that is delivered by a missile, rocket, or torpedo.- Etymology :During the early development of naval torpedoes, they could be equipped with an inert payload that was intended for use during training, test firing and exercises. This...
configurations, with a 4,500 km range and a total payload weight of 2490 kg.
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.
Propulsion
The Agni-III features two solid fuelledSolid rocket
A solid rocket or a solid-fuel rocket is a rocket engine that uses solid propellants . The earliest rockets were solid-fuel rockets powered by gunpowder; they were used by the Chinese in warfare as early as the 13th century and later by the Mongols, Arabs, and Indians.All rockets used some form of...
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
Mass fraction
In aerospace engineering, the propellant mass fraction is a measure of a vehicle's performance, determined as the portion of the vehicle's mass which does not reach the destination...
. 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, navigationNavigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
and re-entry
Re-Entry
"Re-Entry" was the second album released by UK R&B / Hip Hop collective Big Brovaz. After the album was delayed in May 2006, the band finally release the follow-up to "Nu Flow" on 9 April 2007...
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 missile is one of the series of missile developed under the K-X series. 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. The K-4 missile, with a range of 3500 km, is expected to be test fired for the second time in January 2011. An yet unnamed variant of K-4 with 5000 km range is under development.Flight tests
Wheeler Island, India
Wheeler Island is an island off the coast of Orissa, India. It is approximately 150 km from the state capital Bhubaneshwar. India maintains a missile testing facility on the island....
off the Bhadrak
Bhadrak
Bhadrak is a city and a municipality in Bhadrak district in the state of Orissa, India.-Demographics: India census, Bhadrak had a population of 1,33,4000. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Bhadrak has an average literacy rate of 73.86, higher than the national average of...
coast on July 9, 2006. The launch proved to be unsuccessful with the missile falling into the sea off the coast of Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
, 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. Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Kumar Mukherjee is the current Finance Minister of India and leader of the current Lok Sabha.Mukherjee is a senior member of the Cabinet Committees on Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Parliamentary Affairs, Political Affairs, Prices, Security, Unique Identification Authority of India,...
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.
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 "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".
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
Power projection
Power projection is a term used in military and political science to refer to the capacity of a state to conduct expeditionary warfare, i.e. to intimidate other nations and implement policy by means of force, or the threat thereof, in an area distant from its own territory.This ability is a...
in the region.
Agni III was test fired successfully for third time on May 7, 2008. The missile was launched from Balasore, Orissa. 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. The successful test on May 7, opened doors for next generation Indian ICBM Agni-V with a firing range of 5000-6,000 kilometer.
Agni III was tested successfully for the fourth time from Wheeler Island
Wheeler Island, India
Wheeler Island is an island off the coast of Orissa, India. It is approximately 150 km from the state capital Bhubaneshwar. India maintains a missile testing facility on the 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. 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. The test validated the nuclear triggering mechanism, meaning Agni-III is meant for strategic nuclear deterrence. The test launch is part of pre-induction of the missile into the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
.
In August 2010, the defence minister of India announced that Agni-III is ready for induction and in June 2011, it was reported that the Agni-III missile had already been inducted into the armed forces.