Balasore: India Thursday successfully test-fired an Advanced Area Defence (AAD) interceptor surface-to-air missile from the launching pad of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, about 70 km from the Abdul Kalam Island in this district.
The missile was test-fired at 11.30 am and it successfully hit the target despite adverse weather conditions.
Designed for lower altitude interception, the AAD interceptor missile is a 7.5-metre long single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile equipped with an electro-mechanical activator and a navigation system.
The missile has its own mobile launcher, independent tracking, a secure data link for interception and homing capabilities and sophisticated radars.
The interceptor can successfully target the incoming missile after reaching 20 km from the sea level.
Senior scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were present during the test firing of the interceptor.