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India's indigenously built medium range surface-to-air missile Akash, which is going to be inducted into the army next year, was successfully test fired Tuesday at Balasore for the third time since February 27.
The test of the multi target missile was to have been carried out on Monday but bad weather had forced a postponement. Defence ministry officials said the test which was conducted at 0630 hours was successful.
The last phase of serial tests are underway at the Chandipore-on-Sea test range before the missile goes in for serial production.
The missile which carries a payload of 55 kg is due to be inducted into the army by 2002. The various parameters of the missile are being tested to see its capability.
The theatre defence, surface-to-air missile operates in conjunction with the Rajendra surveillance and engagement radar.
The Akash's first flight occurred in 1990. The Akash uses an integral Ramjet rocket propulsion system to give a low-volume, low-weight (700 kg launch weight) missile configuration, and has a low reaction time -from detection to missile launch - of 15 seconds.
The missile has a range of 27 km, with an effective ceiling of 15 km. It is capable of detecting and destroying aircraft flying at tree-top height.
UNI
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