Plan for new missile

By Rabindra Nath Choudhury

Bhubaneswar

June 5: Buoyed by the success of recent launch of Agni-III missile, defence scientists are planning to test a double-layered anti-ballistic missile system which can fire both exo-atmospheric (outside the atmosphere) and endo-atmospheric (within the atmosphere) interceptor missiles.

"The two-layered interceptor system is totally new technology, which is now under development stage. Once it is completed , the comprehensive two-stage ABM interceptor will be tested shortly," highly placed source in the defence base at Chandipur, in Orissa’s Balasore district, said on Thursday.

The scientists of Defence Research Development Organisation will launch the two-tier interceptor missile to intercept a single incoming target missile in both ex-atmospheric ( above 40 km altitude) and endo-atmospheric (below 30 km altitude), the source added.

According to a defence scientist , this new ABM system is being developed to counter enemy ballistic missiles.

It has been configured with radars for long-range surveillance, tracking, command, control, communication and perfect interception to destroy incoming missiles.

"The two-layered interceptor system has a massive software integration and high manoeuvring capability. Its commercial production will start only after its trials are finished," he said.