India conducts twin trial of Prithvi-II missile

CHANDIPUR, India, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Defense researchers in India successfully test-fired two Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missiles at a rest range in Chandipur.

The test was conducted by India's Strategic Forces Command. The missiles, designed and developed by the country's Defense Research and Development Organization, were fired from a road mobile launcher. The Hindu reports the test came as additional preparations were made for the launch of the Agni-I strategic missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

The munitions tested on Monday have a strike range of 217 miles, and have a payload capacity of roughly 1,100 to 2,200 pounds. During the test, the missiles were fired in quick succession at around 9:35 in the morning. The flight test for the Prithvi-II missile follows a similar twin trial conducted on Oct. 12, 2009 from the same base, which The Indian Express reports was also successful.

Indian defense officials say the missiles used an advanced inertial guidance system to hit their targets, and were randomly chosen from the production stock. DRDO radars were used to track the trajectories using electro-optical tracking systems.

The Prithvi-class of missiles are tactical, short-range ballistic munition. The Prithvi-II was developed with the Indian Air Force being the primary user, and was first tested in 1996.