Two Prithvi-II Missiles Flight-tested Successfully

Two Prithvi-II nuclear-capable ballistic missiles with a strike range of 350 km were successfully test-fired in an hour’s gap on December 22, 2010 as part of user trials by the Army from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off Orissa Coast. As per defence sources, the missiles, mounted on
mobile launchers and aimed at different targets, were test-fired from launch complex in the ITR around
8·15 am and 9·15 am. The test-firing of the sleek missiles, already inducted into the armed forces, were routine trials conducted by personnel of Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
“The entire trajectory of the twin trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, electro-optic telemetry stations and ships launched in the down range impact-point area in Bay for post-launch analysis,” the sources said.
With a maximum strike range of 350 km Prithvi-II is capable of carrying a pay-load of 500-1000 kg warhead. “Taken from routine production lot during earlier user trials by Indian Army, the missile had achieved single digit accuracy, reaching close to zero Circular Error Probability (CEP),” the sources said. The missile, having required features to deceive any anti-ballistic missile, had demonstrated flight duration of 483 seconds, reaching a peak altitude of 43·5 km during user’s trial in 2008. Similarly, two Prithvi-II missiles, aimed at different targets at 350 km were successfully launched within
minutes of each other on October 12, 2009, sources said.