New Delhi: Scientists carried out the first test-firing from land of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) K-15 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 kms from Balasore on Wednesday morning.
The two-stage missile, which can carry a payload up to 1 tonne, has a range of 700 km. It has earlier undergone four tests from the underwater platform.
The missile had been test-fired in the past from a pontoon (replica of a submarine) placed inside sea off the Andhra Pradesh coast and once from Orissa coast.
ITR sources said the 10.2 metre long missile, having a solid propellant in two stages, with a range of 700 kms, was test fired from Chandipur Launch complex-III at 1126 hrs.
The authority had issued a cautionary notice asking the mariners to keep away from the area in the Bay of Bengal in view of the test.
The district administration also, as a precautionary measure, temporarily evacuated residents and the livestock from surrounding villages within a radius of three kms from the ITR.
ITR sources said the objective of the test was to assess the full range performance of the missile from the mobile ground launcher and other parameters.
Villagers residing in Jaaydevkasbapahi, Sahajinagar Pahi, Bhimpurpahi, Khadu Pahi and Kusmuli Pahi were evacuated to temporary centres and paid a total compensation of Rs 6.5 lakh prior to the test fire of the missile from the ITR.
(With inputs from PTI)
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