India has successfully test-fired long-range cruise missile 'Nirbhay' from Integrated Missile Test Range near Odisha's Balasore city at 10:03 am on Friday.
"The missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher positioned at launch pad 3 of the Integrated Test Range at about 10.03 hours. Flight details will be available after data retrieved from radars and telemetry points, monitoring the trajectories, are analysed," Daily News & Analysis quoted an official as saying after the launch.
The nuclear-capable missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was tested for the second time and was successful in its second attempt.
After the launch, the missile's "first stage booster" will fall off and it will fly on its trajectory, following the pre-coded commands, The Hindu reported.
The missile has a target range of 700km and above and unlike other ballistic missiles like Agni, Nirbhay can unfold its wings and tail fins and fly like an aircraft. Also, it has been designed in such a way that no radars can detect the flight's path.
Nirbhay was designed to set target on its own and after it has set the focus right, it can strike the target from any direction. If successful, Nirbhay would add to India's advanced defence weapons. For the future plans, DRDO will also develop more of it for land, air, ship and underwater attacks.
Meanwhile, people residing within 1km radius of the launch site has been asked to stay inside their houses.
In the first attempt on 12 March 2013, DRDO had to terminate Nirbhay just 20 minutes after the launch and had to be brought down near a coastal area as it deviated from its trajectory, according to report.
