The Agni is a short or intermediate-range ballistic missile. first tested at the interim test range in Chandipur off the coast of Orissa, India, in may 1989. The missile consists of one engine. In March 2010, a nuclear-capable Agni-I was test fired from the integrated test range at Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast.
The strap-down inertial navigation system uses an explicit guidance technique. The structure is formed of all-carbon composite materials to shield the payload during its re-entry stage. The flight trials proved the long-range capabilities of the missile. The missile can carry a conventional payload of 1,000kg or a nuclear warhead and has a range of 700-800km. These are transported by rail and road, and powered by solid propellants.
