The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today test-fired a naval version of the indigenous Prithvi-III medium-range missile at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur. The missile, which has a range of 250-300 km, was test-fired from a simulated launch pad this morning in the presence of DRDO chief M. Natarajan.The missile, the first made in India which can be fired from an underwater launchpad, was put to the test from an artificially created water base at the test range.South Block sources said that the test came after a robust check of the missile and its sub-system under the DRDO’s K-15 project.The single-stage ballistic Prithvi-III, which is being developed to enable it to be deployed from ships or submarines, can be used on land targets. The 8.5-metre tall missile, which DRDO says has the latest on-board computers and navigational systems, can run on solid or liquid rocket propellants.The missile’s test trajectory was observed using an integrated system of radar, electro-optical tracking instruments, a chain of telemetry stations and a naval vessel stationed close to the point of impact in the Bay of Bengal.
