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The Agni-V is a three stage solid fueled missile with composite motor casing in the third stage. In

many aspects, the Agni-5 carries forward the Agni-3 pedigree. With composites used extensively

to reduce weight, and a third stage added on (the Agni-3 was a two-stage missile), the Agni-5 can

fly 1,500 km further than the 3,500-5500 km range Agni-III. The range can be increase further by

reducing the payload to 6000km.

Two stages of this missile will be made of composite material. Advanced technologies like ring

laser gyroscope and accelerometer will be used in the new missile.

The Missile is also called K-V+ /XV. The DRDO is working on a Submarine Launched Version

of the Agni-V missile, which will provide India with a credible sea based second strike

capability. The SLBM version is a miniaturized version of the Agni-V. The missile would be

ready for test by the end of this year, probably in December. The MIRVs (Multiple Independently-

Targeted Re-entry Vehicle) for the Agni are being concurrently developed. This would be a

tremendous strategic force multiplier for the Armed Forces.

VK Saraswat, DRDO's Chief Controller of Missiles and Strategic Systems, said that DRDO is

working on multiple warheads on a single missile that can maneuver and send out decoys to

confuse enemy anti-missile defenses.

He also mentioned that MIRV technology is very similar to the multiple satellite launch

technology that ISRO has mastered and repeatedly demonstrated using its PSLV

launcher. However, warhead separation requires a higher degree of accuracy than

satellite separation. MIRV is effective only when accuracy of the individual warheads is

high, allowing relatively small warheads to be targeted at widely dispersed targets.

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MIRVs

Agni-V will feature Multiple Independently-Targeted Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) with

each missile being capable of carrying 3-10 separate nuclear warheads. Each warhead can

be assigned to a different target, separated by hundreds of kilometers; alternatively, two or more

warheads can be assigned to one target. MIRVs ensure a credible second strike capability evenwith fewer missiles. Its MIRV warheads are capable of independent maneuvering and are

being given electronic packages for jamming enemy radars.

An Example Of The Minuteman III MIRV Launch Sequence

MIRV launch sequence: 1. The missile launches out of its silo by firing its first stage boost motor

(A). 2. About 60 seconds after launch, the 1st stage drops off and the second stage motor (B)

ignites. The missile shroud (E) is ejected. 3. About 120 seconds after launch, the third stage motor

(C) ignites and separates from the 2nd stage. 4. About 180 seconds after launch, third stage

thrust terminates and the Post-Boost Vehicle (D) separates from the rocket. 5. The Post-Boost

Vehicle maneuvers itself and prepares for re-entry vehicle (RV) deployment. 6. While the Post-

Boost Vehicle backs away, the RVs, decoys, and chaff are deployed (although the figure shows this

happening during descent, this may occur during ascent instead). 7. The RVs and chaff re-enter

the atmosphere at high speeds and are armed in flight. 8. The nuclear warheads detonate, either

as air bursts or ground bursts.

Purposes of MIRV Warheads

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> Provides greater target damage for a given missile payload as several small warheads

cause much more target damage area than a single large one. This in turn reduces the

number of missiles and launch facilities required for a given destruction level.

> With single warhead missiles, one missile must be launched for each target. By

contrast with a MIRV warhead, the post-boost (or bus) stage can dispense the warheads

against multiple targets across a broad area.

> Reduces the effectiveness of an anti-ballistic missile defence system that relies on

intercepting individual warheads.

The precise technical details are closely-guarded military secrets, to hinder any development of

enemy counter-measures. However, the only way an adversary can counter such missiles is before

the maneuvers of the Post-Boost Vehicle as it prepares for re-entry vehicle (RV) deployment. "We

have made major progress on the MIRVs in the last two years," is all that Avinash Chander,

Director, ASL is willing to say on the subject. However, it would take another couple of years to

perfect the technology.

Once the RVs have been deployed, there would be no salvation for enemy troops that happen to

be near any of these multiple ground zeroes. So, all they would need to do is: bend down.put

their heads between their kneesand kiss their asses goodbye!!

Cheers!