Supersonic surface-to-air missile 'Akash' test fired successfully in Odisha

India on Wednesday, conducted developmental test of supersonic surface-to-air missile 'Akash' from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch complex at Chandipur-on-Sea, off Odisha coast.

The missile targeted a floating object supported by Pilot Less Target Aircraft (PTA) 'Lakshya' at about 3 this afternoon, 15 minutes after the aircraft took off.

Akash is a medium range surface-to-air anti-aircraft defence system developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

The missile has a strike range of 25 km and can carry a warhead of 60 kilograms. It has the capability to target aircrafts up to 30 kms. away and is packed with a battery that can track and attack several targets simultaneously.

Akash missile has the capability to neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles. Defence experts compare Akash to the American MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system.