Agni (missile) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_(missile)

Agni (missile)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Agni missile (Sanskrit: , Agn, root of English ignite) is a family of Medium to Intercontinental range ballistic missiles developed by India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. As of 2008, the Agni missile family comprises three deployed variants:[11] NAME TYPE Agni-I RANGE

Agni-I/Agni-II/Agni-III/Agni-IV/Agni-V

MRBM 700 1200 km[2][7]

Agni-II IRBM 2,000- 2,500 km Agni-III IRBM 3,000 - 5,500 km Agni-IV IRBM 3,200- 3,700 km[12] [13] Agni-V ICBM 5,000 km [14][15] (under development). Agni-VI ICBM 10,000 km [16] (under development)

Contents
Agni-II MRBM (Intermediate range ballistic missiles)

1 Agni-I 2 Agni-II 3 Agni-III 4 Agni-IV 5 Agni-V 6 Agni-VI 7 Further Developments 8 See also 9 References 10 External links

Type

Medium Range Ballistic Missile (Agni-I) Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (Agni-II, Agni-III, Agni-IV) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (Agni-V) India

Place of origin

Service history
In service

Agni-I
Main article: Agni-I Agni-I was first tested at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur on 25 january 2002. Weighing 12 tonne with a length of 15 metres, Agni-I has a range of 7001200 km[7] and is capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1000 kg (2,200 lb) or a nuclear warhead[2] at a speed of 2.5 km/s.[3] Agni missiles consist of one (short range) or two stages (intermediate range). These are rail and road mobile and powered by solid propellants. Agni-I is used by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the Indian Army.[2]
Manufacturer

(Tests) 04/11/99, 01/17/01 and 08/29/04

Production history
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) 25 crore (US$5.5 million) to 35 crore (US$7.7 million)[1]

Unit cost

Specifications
Weight 12,000 kg (Agni-I)[2] 16,000 kg (Agni-II) 48,000 kg (Agni-III)[3] 49,000 kg (Agni-V)[3] 15 m (Agni-I)[2] 21 m (Agni-II)[4] 17 m (Agni-III)[5] 17.5 m (Agni-V)[3]

Agni-II
Main article: Agni-II
Length

Agni-II has a range of 2,0002,500 km has a length of 20 metres, diameter of one metre and weighs around 18 tonnes. Agni - II uses solid propellant in both of its two stages.[17] They are claimed to be a part of the "credible deterrence" against China and Pakistan. India stated that its nuclear and missile development programmes are not Pakistan-centric, that the Pakistani threat is only a marginal

1 of 5

2/15/2012 4:13 AM

Agni (missile) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_(missile)

factor in New Delhi's security calculus and that Agni is at the heart of deterrence in the larger context of Sino-Indian equation.[18] The Agni-II can reach most parts of western, central and southern China.

Diameter

1.0 m (Agni-I, Agni-II) 2.0 m (Agni-III) Strategic nuclear (15 KT to 250 KT), conventional HE-unitary, penetration, sub-munitions, incendiary or fuel air explosives Single Stage (Agni-I) Two-and-half-stage (Agni-II) Two stage (Agni-III) solid propellant engine 700-1200 km (Agni-I)[2][7] 2,000-3,500 km (Agni-II)[4] 3,500-5,500 km (Agni-III) 5,000 km (Agni-V) 300 km (Agni-I)[8] 230 km (Agni-II),[4][9] 350 km (Agni-III)[10] 2.5 km/s (Agni-I)[3] 3.5 km/s (Agni-II)[4][6] Ring Laser Gyro- INS (Inertial Navigation System), optionally augmented by GPS terminal guidance with possible radar scene correlation 8 x 8 Tatra TELAR (Transporter erector launcher) Rail Mobile Launcher

Agni-III
Main article: Agni-III Agni-III is the third in the Agni series of missiles. Agni III uses solid propellant in both stages.[17] Agni-III was tested on July 9, 2006 from Wheeler island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa. After the launch, it was reported that the second stage of the rocket did not separate and the missile had fallen well short of its target. Agni-III was again tested on April 12, 2007, this time successfully, from the Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa. On May 7, 2008 India again successfully test fired this missile. This was the third consecutive test; it validated the missile's operational readiness while extending the reach of India's nuclear deterrent to most high-value targets of the nation's most likely adversaries. Agni-III has a range of 3,500 km,[5] and can take a warhead of 1.5 tonnes.[19] Its range falls within the reach of most major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. It has been reported that the missile's Circular Error Probable (CEP) lies in the range of 40 meters, This would make the Agni-III [20] most accurate strategic ballistic missiles of its range class in the world.[19] This is of special significance because a highly accurate ballistic missile increases the "kill efficiency" of the weapon; it allows Indian weapons designers to use smaller yield nuclear warheads (200 Kiloton thermonuclear or boosted fission) while increasing the lethality of the strike. This permits India to deploy a much larger nuclear force using less fissile/fusion material (Plutonium/Lithium Deuteride) than other World nuclear powers. Older ballistic missiles, such as those deployed by earlier nuclear powers required larger yield (1-2 Megaton) warheads to achieve the same level of lethality. It has also been reported that with smaller payloads, the Agni-III can hit strategic targets well beyond 3,500 km.

Warhead

Engine

Operational range

Flight altitude

Speed Guidance system

Launch platform

Agni-IV
Main article: Agni-IV Agni-IV is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles which was earlier known as Agni II prime.[21] Agni-IV was tested on November 15, 2011 from Wheeler island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa. With a range of 2,500-3,500 km[13] Agni-IV bridges the Agni missile range. gap between Agni II and Agni III. Agni IV can take a warhead of 1 tonne. It is designed to increase the kill efficiency along with a higher range performance. Agni IV is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, that includes indigenously developed ring laser gyro and composite rocket motor. Its a two-stage missile powered by solid propellant. Its length is 20 meters and launch weight 17 tonnes.[21] It can be fired from a road mobile launcher.[21][22][23]

Agni-V
Main article: Agni-V
Agni-II ballistic missile

Agni-V is a solid fueled Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) under development by DRDO of India. It will greatly expand India's reach to strike targets up to 5,000 km away. Missile tests are expected to begin in December 2011. [3][24] Agni-V ICBM has been designed with addition of a third composite stage to the two-stage Agni-III missile.[3] To reduce the weight it is built with high

2 of 5

2/15/2012 4:13 AM

Agni (missile) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_(missile)

composite content. The 17.5-metre-long Agni-V would be a canister launch missile system so as to ensure that it has the requisite operational flexibility and can be swiftly transported and fired from anywhere.[3] Agni-V weighs around 49 tonnes, one tonne more than Agni III even then its range has gone up to far more.[3]

Agni-VI
Main article: Agni-VI Agni-VI is an intercontinental ballistic missile said to be in an early stagesof development by India. It is to be the latest & most advanced version among the Agni (missile) program. Capable of being launched from submarines or from land, it will be able to strike at a target of 6000-10000 km with MIRVed warheads.[25]

Further Developments
In May 2008 Indian scientists announced they had developed and patented a path-breaking technology that increases the range of missiles and satellite launch vehicles by at least 40%.[26] The enhanced range is made possible by adding a special-purpose coating of chromium based material to a rocket's blunt nose cone. The material acts as a reactive-ablative coating that forms a thin low density gaseous layer at the tip of the rocket as it approaches hypersonic speeds; this super-heated gas layer reduces drag by 47% (at mach 7-8), thereby allowing range enhancements at least 40%.[27][28] It has been announced that this technology will be incorporated in future Agni deployments after having undergone ranging and calibration tests.

See also
K missiles India and weapons of mass destruction Related development Agni III Agni VI Related lists List of nuclear weapons List of states with nuclear weapons

References
1. ^ "Technical tune to Agni test before talks" (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040830/asp/nation/story_3694401.asp) . The Telegraph. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040830/asp/nation/story_3694401.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 2. ^ a b c d e f "India successfully test-fires Agni I ballistic missile" (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-successfully-testfires-agni-iballist/715859/) . Indian Express. Nov 25 2010. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-successfully-testfires-agni-i-ballist/715859/. Retrieved 19 October 2011. 3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "DRDO plans to test 10 missiles this year" (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-27/bhubaneswar /28376198_1_agni-ii-km-range-agni-iii) . The Times of India. Jan 27, 2011. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-27 /bhubaneswar/28376198_1_agni-ii-km-range-agni-iii. Retrieved 19 October 2011. 4. ^ a b c d Mallikarjun, Y. (Tuesday, May 18, 2010). "Agni-II missile test-fired successfully" (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/18/stories /2010051855891600.htm) . The Hindu (Chennai, India). http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/18/stories/2010051855891600.htm. Retrieved 20 October 2011. 5. ^ a b "Nuclear-capable Agni-III missile test-fired" (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/51332/india-tests-long-range-nuclear.html) . Deccan Herald. Feb 7 2010. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/51332/india-tests-long-range-nuclear.html. Retrieved 19 October 2011. 6. ^ Vishwakarma, Arun (2007-07-01). "Indian Long Range Strategic Missiles" (http://web.archive.org/web/20071129142104/http: //www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Images/Indian_Long_Range_StrategicMissiles_-Agni-III_r11.pdf) (PDF). Lancer Publishers and Distributors. Archived from the original (http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Images/Indian_Long_Range_StrategicMissiles_Agni-III_r11.pdf) on 2007-11-29. http://web.archive.org/web/20071129142104/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Images /Indian_Long_Range_StrategicMissiles_-Agni-III_r11.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 7. ^ a b c "Agni I" (http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/ballistic/agni-i.html) . Bharat Rakshak - Missiles Section. Bharat Rakshak.

3 of 5

2/15/2012 4:13 AM

Agni (missile) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_(missile)

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/ballistic/agni-i.html. Retrieved 19 October 2011. 8. ^ "India successfully test-fired Agni-I" (http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2004/07/05/india-successfully-test-fired-agni-i) . Asian Tribune. http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2004/07/05/india-successfully-test-fired-agni-i. Retrieved 2011-10-20. 9. ^ "India Tests Agni-II Missile" (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?topicName=india&id=news/awx/2011/09/30 /awx_09_30_2011_p0-376915.xml&headline=India%20Tests%20Agni-II%20Missile) . Aviation Week. 2011-09-30. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?topicName=india&id=news/awx/2011/09/30 /awx_09_30_2011_p0-376915.xml&headline=India%20Tests%20Agni-II%20Missile. Retrieved 2011-10-20. 10. ^ Subramanian, T. S.; Mallikarjun, Y. (2010-02-07). "News / National : Agni-III launch a complete success" (http://www.thehindu.com /news/national/article102369.ece) . Chennai, India: The Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article102369.ece. Retrieved 2011-10-20. 11. ^ "Agni: India's fire power" (http://www.brahmand.com/news/Agni-Indias-fire-power/5787/1/15.html) . Brahmand.com. http://www.brahmand.com/news/Agni-Indias-fire-power/5787/1/15.html. Retrieved 2011-10-20. 12. ^ Express news (2011-11-18). "Youngsters behind Agni-IV success" (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/youngsters-behind-agniiv-success /203421-60-115.html) . ibnlive.com. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/youngsters-behind-agniiv-success/203421-60-115.html. Retrieved 2011-11-18. 13. ^ a b "India tests long-range nuclear-capable 'Agni-IV' missile" (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-tests-long-range-nuclearcapable-Agni-IV-missile/articleshow/10737442.cms) . The Times of India. 15 November 2011. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india /India-tests-long-range-nuclear-capable-Agni-IV-missile/articleshow/10737442.cms. Retrieved 15 November 2011. 14. ^ (thehindu) Mar 25, 2011 (2011-03-25). "thehindu: India developing 5,000 km-range Agni missile" (http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech /science/article1571261.ece?homepage=true) . Chennai, India: thehindu.com. http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science /article1571261.ece?homepage=true. Retrieved 2011-03-26. 15. ^ (thehindu) Jul 23, 2011 (2011-07-23). "thehindu: Preparations apace for Agni V launch" (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /article2288105.ece?homepage=true) . Chennai, India: thehindu.com. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /article2288105.ece?homepage=true. Retrieved 2011-07-24. 16. ^ DRDO newsletter (http://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/nl/2011/NLMay2011.pdf) 17. ^ a b "New kid on the nuclear block" (http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article2636571.ece) . The Hindu (Chennai, India). November 18, 2011. http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article2636571.ece. Retrieved 4 December 2011. 18. ^ "Feature" (http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0499/f2304991.html) . Pib.nic.in. http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0499/f2304991.html. Retrieved 2011-10-20. 19. ^ a b "AGNI-III launched successfully" (http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=26817) . Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 2007-04-12. http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=26817. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 20. ^ "Agni-2" (http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.9/missile_detail.asp) . MissileThreat. http://www.missilethreat.com /missilesoftheworld/id.9/missile_detail.asp. Retrieved 2010-08-31. 21. ^ a b c Subramanian, T.S. (15 November 2011). "Agni - IV successfully test fired" (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /article2629274.ece) . The Hindu (Chennai, India). http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2629274.ece. Retrieved 15 November 2011. 22. ^ "India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile" (http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/bhubaneshwar/India-test-fires-nuclearcapable-Agni-IV-missile/Article1-769286.aspx) . Hindustan Times. 2011-11-15. http://www.hindustantimes.com/NewsFeed/bhubaneshwar/India-test-fires-nuclear-capable-Agni-IV-missile/Article1-769286.aspx. Retrieved 2011-11-15. 23. ^ "India tests nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile" (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/india-testsnuclear-capable-surface-to-surface-agni-iv-missile/articleshow/10737019.cms) . The Times Of India. 2011-11-15. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/india-tests-nuclear-capable-surface-to-surface-agni-iv-missile/articleshow /10737019.cms. 24. ^ Preparations apace for Agni V launch (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2288105.ece) 25. ^ "India to Join ICBM League soon" (http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/todays-newspaper/11724-with-russian-help-india-to-joinicbm-big-league-soon.html) . Daily Dioner. 08 OCTOBER 2011. http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/todays-newspaper/11724with-russian-help-india-to-join-icbm-big-league-soon.html. 26. ^ "Indigenous technology to increase range of Indian missiles by a third" (http://www.domainb.com/aero/space/launch_veh /20080514_technology.html) . domain-b.com. 2008-05-14. http://www.domainb.com/aero/space/launch_veh/20080514_technology.html. Retrieved 2010-08-31. 27. ^ "Indian-developed technology to boost range of missiles and protect re-entry vehicles" (http://www.domainb.com/aero/mil_avi /miss_muni/20080910_Indian_technology.html) . domain-b.com. 2008-09-10. http://www.domainb.com/aero/mil_avi/miss_muni /20080910_Indian_technology.html. Retrieved 2010-08-31. 28. ^ "New tech to boost missile range by 40%" (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/ET_Cetera /New_tech_to_boost_missile_range_by_40/articleshow/3464620.cms) . Economictimes.indiatimes.com. 2008-09-10. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/ET_Cetera/New_tech_to_boost_missile_range_by_40/articleshow /3464620.cms. Retrieved 2010-08-31.

External links
Bharat-Rakshak Agni strategic missile Section (http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Agni.html) Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Agni_(missile)&oldid=476431273"

4 of 5

2/15/2012 4:13 AM

Agni (missile) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_(missile)

Categories:

Ballistic missiles of India

Intermediate-range ballistic missiles

Nuclear missiles of India

This page was last modified on 12 February 2012 at 11:24. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of use for details. Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

5 of 5

2/15/2012 4:13 AM