India has successfully test-fired the indigenously developed single-stage, interceptor Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile, destroying a ‘hostile’ ballistic missile fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa.
The AAD missile, developed by the DRDO, hit the target ballistic missile fired from Launch Complex- III at ITR, Chandipur, at an altitude of about 15 km. Tracked by various radars and sensors, the interceptor missile, which was fitted with directional warhead and other advanced systems, destroyed the target.
The solid-fuel AAD missile is designed for endo-atmospheric operations up to an altitude of 30 km and is equipped with an inertial navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator. DRDO is also developing a two-stage interceptor designed for exo-atmospheric operations, with a maximum interception altitude of 80 km. The aim is to develop a full-fledged multi-layer Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system.