India successfully test-fired nuclear capable Nirbhay cruise missile

India on 17 October 2014 successfully  test fired its first long range subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay with a strike range of over 1000 km from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Orissa.

This 6 meter tall low altitude flying missile was fired from a mobile launcher. Carrying a dummy payload of n350 kg, the missile also demonstrated the critical ability to zero-in on its target by diving towards a pre-designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal.

This was the second flight trial of the missile as the first test was aborted mid way in March 2013 when the missile deviated from its path.

Nirbhay cruise missile
•    The missile was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at its aeronautics R&D laboratory ADE (Aeronautical Development Establishment) based in Bengaluru.
•    The avionics of the missile was provided by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. The DRDL has also contributed to the development of the missile.
•    Nirbhay cruise missile can carry conventional and nuclear war heads.
•    Nirbhay has good loitering capability, good control and guidance, high degree of accuracy in terms of impact and very good stealth features.
•    Nirbhay is very manoeuvrable and can fly at tree-top level, making it difficult to be detected on radar.
•    It can strike the targets more than 700 km away carrying nuclear warheads giving India the capability to strike deep into enemy territory.