The Long Range Ballistic Missile successfully launched from the Wheeler Island about 12 Kms. from Damra off Orissa Coast, on May 07, 2008.
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Bhubaneswar (Orissa): India on Wednesday conducted another test of its Agni-III nuclear-capable intermediate ballistic surface-to-surface missile from the Wheeler Island in Balasore Orissa.
The Agni-III missile has a flight-range of 3,500 kms which would bring much of China within its range.
Defence Ministry top officials and scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) witnessed the launch.
The missile was initially supposed to be launched in the last week of April. But the launch was delayed slightly following an appeal by wildlife experts in Orissa to postpone the tests due to the nesting season of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
India has lacked a credible nuclear-delivery system that could penetrate the Chinese heartland in stark contrast to China, which has missiles capable of hitting every corner of India.
Agni-III is designed to support both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a total payload weight of 600 kg to 1,800 kg. Analysts say the missile is designed to deliver a nuclear payload to the tune of 200-300 kilotons.
The Agni-III missile has fired by making use of solid fuel propellant unlike the short-range Prithvi missile as well as earlier versions of the Agni surface-to-surface missile.
The Agni-III missile features two solid-fuel stages with overall diameter of 1.8 metres, which is compatible with the recently tested sub-surface launch system.
The missile's first stage booster is made of advanced carbon composite materials to provide high mass fraction. It weighs about 24 tonnes and has a length of seven metres.
The second stage is also made of advanced carbon composite materials weighing around eight tonnes with a length of 2.5 metres.
