India successfully test-fires Akash missile

The 650 kg missile has the capacity to carry a 50 kg payload and uses the integrated two-stage ramjet propulsion technology.

The surface-to-air missile Akash was successfully test-fired on Saturday from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on sea, about 15 km from Balasore.

The indigenously-built multi-target, medium-range missile -- having a range of 25 km -- is one of the five missiles currently under various stages of development by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).

The missile was test-fired at 1230 hours, ITR sources said.

The 650 kg missile has the capacity to carry a 50 kg payload and uses the integrated two-stage ramjet propulsion technology.

Akash, having undergone several flight tests earlier, is understood to be close to the user's trial stage.

ITR sources said prior to the test-fire of the missile, Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) was test flown from the ITR and the object dropped from the unmanned vehicle was targeted by the Akash missile.