Surya missile
| Surya ICBM | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intercontinental ballistic missile[1] |
| Place of origin | India |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | ~55,000 kg |
|
| |
| Warhead | 3-10 MIRV warheads with yield >200 kt[2] |
|
| |
| Propellant | First/second stage solid, third liquid (or three stage solid) |
Operational range | ~12,000-16,000 km[1] |
| Speed | Mach 24 (29,401 km/h) |
Launch platform | TEL |
The Surya missile is an intercontinental ballistic missile speculated to be in development by India. As the missile is yet to be developed, the specifications of the missile are not known and the entire program continues to remain highly secretive.
History
According to a 1995 report published in The Nonproliferation Review, Surya (meaning the Sun in Sanskrit and many Indian languages) is the codename for one of the Intercontinental ballistic missiles that India is reported to be developing.[3] The DRDO is believed to have begun the project in 1994. This report has not been confirmed by any other sources until 2010. Officials of the Indian government have repeatedly denied the existence of the project.
According to the report, the Surya is an intercontinental-range, surface-based, solid and liquid propellant ballistic missile. The report further adds that Surya is the most ambitious project in India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The Surya is speculated to have a range between 12,000[4] to 16,000 kilometers.[1]
It is believed to be a three-stage design, with the first two stages using solid propellants and the third-stage using liquid.
Speculated specifications
- Class: ICBM
- Lasing: Surface based, underwater based (in certain strategic areas) and submarine based is its most important aspect which may range above 10,000 km.
- Length: 40.00 m.
- Diameter: 1.1m.
- Launch Weight: 55,000 kg.
- Propulsion: First/second stage solid, third liquid.
- Warhead Capabilities: 3-10 Strategic nuclear weapon warheads of 250-750 kilotons each.
- Status: unconfirmed.
- In Service: unconfirmed.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "Missile impossible: why the Agni-V falls short". rbth. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ↑ N. Madhuprasad (25 August 2005). "Boost to Indian Armed Forces’ Deterrence Arsenal; India to Develop Intercontinental Ballistic Missile". Bangalore Deccan Herald.
- ↑ Surya ICBM. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
- ↑ "Surya - India Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems". Fas.org. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
External links
- Richard Speier (March 2006). "U.S. Space Aid to India: On a "Glide Path" to ICBM Trouble?". Arms Control Association.