On September 19, 2012 Indian successfully test fired its nuclear capable strategic missile Agni IV . The missile was fired with a strike range off Odisha coast. It was test launched with the help of a mobile launcher from the launch complex 4 of ITR at Wheeler Island which is 100 km from Balasore at about 1145 hours.
The missile was guided by a high performance on-board computer with distributed avionics architecture and high speed reliable communication bus and a full Digital control System. An official from the DRDO said, “It is equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide high level of reliability”.
Some of the sources said, “The state-of-the-art Ring Laser Gyros based high accuracy INS (RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINGS) complementing each other in redundant mode have been incorporated into the missile system in guidance mode”. The Agni IV missile is lighter in weight and has two stages of solid propulsion.
According to a Defence scientist, the payload with a re-entry heat shield can withstand temperature of more than 3,000 degree Celsius. At present the missile is undergoing development trials by the country’s premier Defence Research and Development Organization. The last trial of the missile was carried out on November 15, 2011 from the same base.
