Prithvi missile
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
The Prithvi Missile mounted on its launchpad
Prithvi (Sanskrit: The Earth) is the short range ballistic missile developed by India under the IGMDP. It has a range of upto 150 to 300 km with variants for Land and Sea/Sub-Surface roles (Dhanush (Bow)) targeting surface targets. Variants make use of either liquid, solid propellants or both. Developed as a battlefield missile, It could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon. Some versions have already been handed over to the Indian Army Missile Group for deployment.
Produced in three variation/variants.
- Prithvi - I has a 1000 Kg warhead and a range of >125 miles and has been handed over to the Indian Army. Is entirely liquid fuelled.
- Prithvi - II has a range of 250 Kilometres with the Indian Air Force being the primary user. This is said to be solid fuelled.
- Prithvi - III recently tested, consists of two stages. The first stage is solid fuelled with a 16 ton thrust motor. The second stage is liquid fuelled. The missile can carry a 1000 Kgm warhead to a distance of 350 KM and a 500 Kgm warhead to a distance of 600 Kilometres and a 250 Kilogram warhead upto a distance of 750 Kilometres.has been tested recently. If reports are accurate, Prithvi could be reclassified from SRBM to a MRBM.
