K-4 (SLBM)
| K-4 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intermediate-range SLBM |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Undergoing trials |
| Used by | Indian Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 17 t (19 short tons) |
| Length | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.3 m (4.3 ft) |
| Warhead | 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) Nuclear |
|
|
|
| Engine | Solid-fueled |
|
Operational
range |
3,500 km (2,200 mi) |
|
Guidance
system |
Ring Laser Gyro Inertial navigation system |
| Accuracy | Near zero CEP |
|
Launch
platform |
Arihant class submarines |
K-4 is a nuclear capable Intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile under development by Defence Research and Development Organisation of India to arm the Arihant-class submarines. The missile has a reported effective range of over 3500 km.
The development of the K-4 was undertaken after facing significant difficulties in compacting similarly capable Agni-III to equip INS Arihant which has a limited 17-metre (56 ft)-diameter hull. K-4 has range comparable to Agni-III with major length reduction from 17 metres (56 ft) to 12 metres (39 ft). The gas-booster designed for K-4 was successfully tested from a submerged pontoon in 2010.
The missile is reported to be 12 metres (39 ft) long with a diameter of 1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in) and weighs nearly 17 tonnes (19 tons). It can carry a warhead weighing up to 2 tonnes (2.2 tons) and is powered solid rocket propellant. DRDO stated that the aim of the missile was to achieve a high accuracy.
The missile was originally scheduled to be initially tested in September 2013 from a pontoon submerged 50 feet underwater, but the test was delayed due to unspecified issues. In the event, the first test was carried out on 24 March 2014 from a depth of 30 metres. The test was successful and the missile was tested to a range of 3,000 km. The launch took place from a pontoon submerged more than 30 metres deep in the sea off the Visakhapatnam coast. After a powerful gas generator ejected it from the pontoon submerged in the Bay of Bengal, the K-4 missile rose into the air, took a turn towards the designated target, sped across 3,000 km in the sky and dropped into the Indian Ocean.
As of May 2014[update], the missile was planned for further testing both from pontoons and submarines before being declared operational.
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Wikipedia