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| PDV Exo-Atmospheric Interceptor BMD Phase 1: Maiden Test on April 27, 2014. Photo Credit: DRDO |
The maiden test of the Prithvi Defense Vehicle (PDV0 Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) interceptor missile on April 27, 2014 was a proud moment for DRDO and the nation.
The PDV missile will replace the existing PAD-1 exo-atmospheric interceptor of Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Phase 1.
The PAD-1 has a solid fuel first stage and a liquid fuel second stage. Liquid rocket fuel tends to be corrosive. Once its loaded into a stage, the stage must either be used or discarded. As such, the use of liquid fuel is incompatible with the qualitative requirements of an operational BMD interceptor.
The PDV is a two stage, all solid fueled, which facilitates easy storage and quick launch.
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| PDV Exo-Atmospheric Interceptor BMD Phase 1: Maiden Test on April 27, 2014. Photo Credit: DRDO |
It is capable of intercepting enemy missiles at altitudes upto 150 km, ensuring that the enemy warhead debris burns up in the atmosphere, causing no ground contamination.
The missile features a dual mode (IR and Active radar) seeker, and like the PAD, has a directional warhead.
The missile is equipped with an innovative system to allow it to maneuver at altitudes up to 150 km, well outside the earth's atmosphere. (In the photo above you can see that the second stage does not have any aerodynamic control surfaces such as fins; they would be ineffective outside the atmosphere.)
The kill vehicle of the interceptor, equipped with an attitude control mechanism, reaches a speed of 1,500 m/sec before impacting its target.
A modified PAD-1 missile, launched from a ship, was used in the test on Sunday. The mechanism used to stabilize the missile during launch from a ship is clearly visible in the video clip above.
IDP Sentinel members can read more about the BMD Phase 1 and the PDV missile at the link below.
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