Akash, India's surface-to-air missile, was test fired twice at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea in the eastern Indian state of Orissa on Monday, The Press Trust of India reported. The multi-target missile with a striking range of 25 km was directed at an object attached to a Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) on both occasions, defense sources said. The sleek 5.6 meter long missile, with a launch weight of 700 kg and capability to carry a warhead of 60 kg, blasted off from a mobile launcher at 12.50 pm. It was fired at the target for the second time at around one o'clock, the sources said. The test was conducted to prove its consistency during the entire flight, the sources said. The army and the Indian Air Force, who would be using the missile, had wanted it to demonstrate consistency during the entire flight. The sophisticated missile, which uses an integral ramjet rocket propulsion system and has low reaction time, operates in conjunction with the indigenously built Rajendra Surveillance and Engagement Radar being developed by the Hyderbad-based Electronic Research and Development Establishment (ERDE). The radar was capable of tracking 64 targets and guide up to 12 missiles simultaneously. The missile is part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) and developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Compared to the US-made 'Patriot', the sources said 'Akash' had better features. It was totally mobile and could be launched from a battle tank and had thrust during its entire flight and the propulsion worked till it hit the target.
