Prithvi-2 being launched at 5:30am on Saturday, March 27 from the Launch Complex-III at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Orissa coast.
Introduction
The Prithvi-2 or P2 is a single stage, single stage, liquid fueled, nuclear capable tactical missile with a range of 350 km, which is in service with the Indian Strategic Forces.
At a Glance
Trajectory
The missile has a flight time of 483 seconds and reaches a peak altitude of 43.5 km during its ballistic trajectory.
Guidance
The missile uses inertial guidance for its flight and a radar correlation terminal guidance system to home on to its target. It can reportedly target mobile targets including unmanned aerial vehicles.
Operational Status
Prithvi-2 is an operational missile that equips the IAF It was the first missile developed under the country's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
Besides nuclear warheads, it can also carry carry different conventional warheads, including sub-munitions, cluster munitions and pre-fragmented explosives.
The Naval variant of the missile is called Dhanush.
The missile is routinely tested for training and quality control.
Missile Tests
December 21, 2011 Aborted
A salvo fire test of two Prithvi missiles by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the Armed Forces from the Integrated Test Range, Balasore, was aborted during countdown because of a technical problem.
On December 22, a source told the Indian Express that the Prithvi tests weren't aborted, there was a failure.
"The first missile was scheduled to be tested at around 9 am and the second one after five to six minutes. Both the missiles developed same problem. The CFNA gas was leaked from the missile-system and the missiles didn’t get required thrust to take off,’"" the sources said.
The failure was similar to the one on September 24, 2010.
September 26, 2011, Success
Prithvi P-II test on September 26, 2011. Photo Credit: DRDO.
A user test of the missile by personnel of Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army, conducted at 8:50 AM from Launch Complex III at Chandipur, was a success.
Launched from a mobile launcher, the missile struck within less than 10 m of its target in the Bay of Bengal.
June 9, 2011, Success
Prithvi test on June 9, 2011.
The missile was successfully test fired from a mobile launcher on June 9, 2011 at 9 am from Launch Complex-III, ITR Chandipur, Balasore District, Orissa, by personnel of the SFC.
A missile, picked randomly from a production lot, was tested as part of a routine training exercise.
Following a copy book launch and flight, the 350 km range missile struck its designated target in the sea demonstrating a CEP of less than 10 meters.
December 22, 2010, Success
The first Prithvi-2 missile lifts of on December 22, 2010. The second missile can be seen poised for launch in the background. Photo Credit: DRDO.
Two missiles were successfully salvo fired from mobile launchers at Chandipur test range within a span of an hour. The first missile was launched at 08:15 a..m. and second one at 09:15 a.m.
The missiles struck their targets with great accuracy after a flights of approximately 8 mins each.
The two missiles were programed to strike targets at differing ranges.
The second Prithvi-2 lifts off. Photo Credit: DRDO.
The test was a routine launch by personnel of the Strategic Forces Command.
September 24, 2010, Failure
A user trial of the missile by personnel of the Strategic Forces Command as part of training exercise failed. The missile's rocket engine stopped functioning a few seconds after the launch command was given. The missile didn't lift off its launch pad.
June 17, 2010, Success
Photo Credit: DRDO
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