AAD Interceptor trial Friday

BALASORE: The stage is set for a crucial developmental trial of AAD interceptor missile. The missile in its full operational configuration will be test-fired from the Wheeler’s Island off the Odisha coast on Friday. A defence official said the endo-atmospheric interceptor would be test launched between 9 am and 10 am.  “Preparation and range integration have been completed. The missile will be fired in time as per the schedule if weather favours,” he said. The missile is a part of India’s most ambitious Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme which has two stages of interceptors - exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric. Defence sources said the AAD interceptor will kill a target missile, launched a couple of minutes prior to it, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. A modified version of Prithvi missile will mimic the target missile.