Jul. 27 – India’s Defense Research and Development Organization successfully shot down a modified Prithvi rocket with a supersonic interceptor missile 15 kilometers over the Bay of Bengal on Monday in the country’s fifth such test of the last four years.
The recent tests come as India prepares to launch the first phase of its Ballistic Missile Defense shield in 2012. The two-tier system is designed to track and destroy incoming enemy missiles both inside and outside of the earth’s atmosphere with a range of up to 5,000 kilometers.
Before yesterday’s test, all but the most recent interceptor missile had found their marks, with the Nov. 2006, Dec. 2007, and Mar. 2009 tests successfully destroying incoming missiles at altitudes of 48 kilometers, 15 kilometers, and 80 kilometers, respectively. A Mar. 15 test earlier this year malfunctioned mid-flight and had to be aborted.
Another interceptor missile test within the earth’s atmosphere is scheduled in three months time, according to Dr. V.K. Saraswat, head of defense research and development organization, who oversaw yesterday’s test.
