On the coast of Odisha, DRDO successfully conducted a night trial of India's nuclear ballistic missile Prithvi-2. The purpose of night testing was to verify accuracy and strike capability in the dark. This launch took place under the supervision of India’s Strategic Forces Command. A user trial means that new officers in command received training on missile launching.
The Prithvi-2 missile has a strike range of 350 km. It is a single-stage liquid-fuel missile. The upper part can be outfitted with conventional or nuclear warheads ranging from 500 to 1000 kg. It can deceive enemy anti-ballistic missile technology. This successful user night trial marks the fifth since 2019.
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Source: aajtak
The smallest and lightest among India's ballistic missiles
Prithvi-2 is the smallest and lightest missile among all Indian missiles. It weighs 4600 kg, with a length of 8.56 meters and a diameter of 110 centimeters. Prithvi-2 can be equipped with high-explosive, penetration, cluster munition, fragmentation, thermobaric, chemical weapon, and tactical nuclear weapon warheads.
This missile is used by the Indian Air Force
Prithvi-2 operates on a strap-down inertial navigation system, offering a circular error probability of 10 meters. Launching is facilitated by an 8x8 Tata Transporter Erector Launcher. The original name of Prithvi-2 is SS-250 and it was developed for the Indian Air Force. Conversely, Prithvi-1 was made for the army and Prithvi-3 for the navy.
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Source: aajtak
The Pralay and Pradyumna ballistic missiles are based on this system
Using the same missile system as a base, DRDO scientists conceptualized and brought to life the Pralay Missile and Prithvi Air Defense (PAD), known as the Pradyumna ballistic missile interceptor. Pralay missile has been approved for deployment on the China border. PAD missiles can destroy enemy targets outside the atmosphere at a speed of 6174 km/hr.
Mission Shakti, conducted in March 2019 to destroy an enemy satellite, was also based on Prithvi missile technology. The anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) missile was an upgraded version of the Prithvi missile and successfully destroyed an old inactive satellite in space.
