K-4 (SLBM)
| K-4 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intermediate-range SLBM |
| Place of origin |
 India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Undergoing trials |
| Used by | Indian Armed Forces |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Produced | 24 March 2014 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 17 t (19 short tons)[1] |
| Length | 12 m (39 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | 1.3 m (4.3 ft)[1] |
| Warhead | 2,500 kg (5,500 lb)[2] Nuclear |
|
| |
| Engine | Solid-fueled |
Operational range | >3,500 km (2,200 mi)[3] |
Guidance system | Ring Laser Gyro Inertial navigation system |
Launch platform | Arihant class submarines |
K-4 is a nuclear capable intermediate range submarine-launched ballistic missile under development in the 2000s–2010s by Defence Research and Development Organisation of India to arm the Arihant-class submarine and to complement or replace K-15 Sagarika missile.
The missile has a reported effective range of over 3500 km.[3]
Development
The development of the K-4 was undertaken after facing significant difficulties in compacting similarly capable Agni-III to equip INS Arihant which has a limited 17-metre (56 ft)-diameter hull. K-4 has range comparable to Agni-III with major length reduction from 17 metres (56 ft) to 12 metres (39 ft). The gas-booster designed for K-4 was successfully tested from a submerged pontoon in 2010.[4]
Description
The missile is reported to be 12 metres (39 ft) long with a diameter of 1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in) and weighs nearly 17 tonnes (19 tons). It can carry a warhead weighing up to 2 tonnes (2.2 tons) and is powered solid rocket propellant. DRDO stated that the aim of the missile was to achieve a high accuracy.[1]
Testing
The missile was originally scheduled to be initially tested in September 2013 from a pontoon submerged 50 feet underwater, but the test was delayed due to unspecified issues.[1][5] In the event, the first test was carried out on 24 March 2014 from a depth of 30 metres. The test was successful and the missile was tested to a range of 3,000 km. The launch took place from a pontoon submerged more than 30 metres deep in the sea off the Visakhapatnam coast. After a powerful gas generator ejected it from the pontoon submerged in the Bay of Bengal, the K-4 missile rose into the air, took a turn towards the designated target, sped across 3,000 km in the sky and dropped into the Indian Ocean.[6]
As of May 2014, the missile was planned for further testing both from pontoons and submarines before being declared operational.[7][8][9][10]
External links
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Indian Express, Longest Range Ballistic Missile All Set for Undersea Launch, accessed 2015-01-04
- ↑ India to test a submarine-based ballistic missile
- 1 2 "India successfully test-fires underwater missile". The Hindu. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
- ↑ The Hindu, DRDO plans another K-15 missile launch
- ↑ "India's K-4 SLBM awaits first launch". Jane's. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ↑ Panda, Ankit (May 13, 2014). "India Inches Closer to Credible Nuclear Triad With K-4 SLBM Test". TheDiplomat.
- ↑ "Success on debut for undersea launch of missile". The Hindu. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ↑ "India tests new underwater nuclear missile". The Times of India. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ↑ "India tests 3,000 km range n-missile in secret". The Sunday Guardian. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ↑ India’s Nuclear Triad Finally Coming of Age
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