Context:

• Indigenously developed Prithvi Advanced Air Defence (AAD) supersonic interceptor missile was successfully test-red from a test range in Odisha.
• It is capable of destroying any incoming ballistic missile in low altitude.
• The target missile Prithvi interceptor AAD missile was launched from launch complex 3 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.
• After getting signals by tracking radars the missile directed its trajectory to destroy hostile target missile in mid-air in an endo-atmospheric altitude.

About Prithvi AAD:

• Prithvi AAD supersonic interceptor missile
• The Prithvi interceptor is a 7.5-meter long single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile.
• It is equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and electromechanical activator.
• It can destroy the incoming hostile ballistic missile in endoatmospheric region (less than 30 km altitude) at a low altitude of less than 30 kms.
• The state-of-the-art missile has its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities and sophisticated radars.
• This was the third supersonic interceptor test of missile carried out this year in which an incoming ballistic missile target was successfully intercepted, within 30 km altitude of the earth’s atmosphere.
• The earlier two tests were conducted on February 11 and March 1 2017, as part of efforts to have full-edged multi-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system.

Source:TOI/India Today