India on Thursday successfully carried out the first test-firing of its latest surface-to-surface quick reaction tactical missile Prahaar, which has a range of 150 kms.
Prahaar is capable of carrying different types of warheads and will be operated by the Army as a battle field support system.
"The test-firing was conducted successfully at 8.20 am. Prahaar with a capability to strike targets at 150 kms, comparable to ATACMS missile of the United States, fills the vital gap between multi barrel rockets and medium range ballistic missiles," Defence Research and Development Organisation spokesperson Ravi Gupta said.
The missile will be helpful in filling gaps between Pinaka multi-barrel rockets with 40 km range and Prithvi ballistic missiles with ranges between 250-350 kms. The uniqueness of the missile with a payload of 200 kgs is that "in one salvo, six missiles can be fired at multiple targets in all directions covering the entire Azimuth plane."
The missile system developed by the DRDO in less than two years will provide the Army a cost effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battle field support tactical system.
The 7.3 m long missile with a 420 mm diameter weighs 1,280 kgs and rises to a height of 35 kms before striking its target at 150 km in four minutes and 10 seconds, they said.
"The missile equipped with state-of-the art high accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation systems with latest on board computer achieved terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters," he said.
Prahaar is capable of being launched from the road mobile system, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode.
During the test, the flight path of the missile was tracked and monitored by the various radar systems and electro optical systems located along the coast of Orissa.
An Indian Naval ship located near target point in the Bay of Bengal witnessed the final event. The missile was developed by DRDO scientists with support from Indian industry and quality assurance agency MSQAA.
The launch operations were witnessed by DRDO chief V K Saraswat and Director General of Artillery V K Nayanar.
