Akash-NG Flight Tested Off Odisha Coast Amid Inclement Weather Conditions

Balasore: New Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile was successfully flight tested from the Integrated Test Range off Odisha coast at 11.45 am on Friday.

The missile equipped with an RF seeker intercepted a high-speed unmanned aerial target flown from the same facility amid inclement weather conditions proving its all-weather capability, a PIB release said. 

The test also validated the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of the missile with indigenously developed RF Seeker, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar and Command, Control and Communication system.

The system performance was validated through the data captured by a number of radars, telemetry and electro-optical tracking systems deployed by ITR, Chandipur. A team of Indian Air Force officers witnessed the test.

On July 21, the missile was successfully flight-tested without the seeker meeting all the mission requirements. The first test was conducted on January 25 and another on March 23. This indigenous new variant of the Akash missile has a striking range of 70 km.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, Indian Air Force and the Industry on the second successful flight test of Akash-NG in a span of three days. He said the development of this state-of-the-art missile system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated the teams for the successful trial of Akash-NG, which is capable of intercepting high speed and agile aerial threats, the release added.