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}}</ref> The project started in 1982–83 under the leadership of [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam|Abdul Kalam]] who oversaw its ending in 2008 after these strategic missiles were successfully developed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=2022-08-15 |title=From Agni to BrahMos: A look at India’s deadly missile arsenal |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-instruments-of-skyfall-how-missiles-shaped-75-years-of-india-2629276/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref>
On 8 January 2008, the DRDO formally announced the successful rated guided missile programme was completed with its design objectives achieved since most of the missiles in the programme had been developed and inducted by the [[Indian armed forces|Indian Armed Forces]].<ref name="hindu-igmdp-over">{{cite news
| title = India scraps integrated guided missile programme
| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
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'''Akash''' (Sanskrit: आकाश meaning ''Sky'') is a medium-range surface-to-air missile developed as part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme to achieve self-sufficiency in the area of surface-to-air missiles. It is the most expensive missile project ever undertaken by the Union government in the 20th century. Development costs skyrocketed to almost {{USD}}120 million, which is far more than other similar systems.<ref name=trishul_shut>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/27trishul.htm "India Shuts Down Trishul Missile Project" ] ''[[Rediff.com]]'' 27 February 2008</ref>
Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile with an intercept range of 30 km. It has a launch weight of 720 kg, a diameter of 35 cm and a length of 5.8 metres. Akash flies at [[supersonic]] speed, reaching around [[Mach number|Mach]] 2.5. It can reach an altitude of 18 km. A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 55 kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated. It is propelled by a solid fuelled booster stage. The missile has a terminal guidance system capable of working through [[electronic countermeasures]]. The entire Akash SAM system allows for attacking multiple targets (up to 4 per battery). The Akash missile's use of [[ramjet]] propulsion system allows it to maintain its speed without deceleration, unlike the [[MIM-104 Patriot|Patriot missiles]].<ref>T.S. Subramanian (11 December 2005) [https://web.archive.org/web/20051212070048/http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/11/stories/2005121102871000.htm "Akash missile achieves a milestone"] ''[[The Hindu]]'.' Retrieved 18 October 2006.</ref> The missile is supported by a multi-target and multi-function [[phased array]] fire control [[radar]] called the '[[Rajendra Radar|Rajendra]]' with a range of about 80 km in search, and 60 km in terms of engagement.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/akash.htm Global Security.Org] article ''accessed'' 18 October 2006.</ref>
The missile is completely guided by the radar, without any active guidance of its own. This allows it greater capability against jamming as the aircraft self-protection jammer would have to work against the high-power Rajendra, and the aircraft being attacked is not alerted by any terminal seeker on the Akash itself.
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Design of the missile is similar to that of the [[SA-6]], with four long tube ramjet inlet ducts mounted mid-body between wings. For pitch/yaw control four clipped triangular moving wings are mounted on mid-body. For roll control four inline clipped delta fins with ailerons are mounted before the tail. However, internal schema shows a completely modernised layout, including an onboard computer with special optimised trajectories, and an all-digital proximity fuse.
The Akash system meant for the [[Indian Army]] uses the [[T-72]] tank chassis for its launcher and radar vehicles. The Rajendra derivative for the Army is called the Battery Level Radar-III. The Air Force version uses an [[Ashok Leyland]] truck platform to tow the missile launcher, while the Radar is on a [[BMP-2]] chassis and is called the Battery Level Radar-II. In either case, the launchers carry three ready-to-fire Akash missiles each. The launchers are automated, autonomous and networked to a command post and the guidance radar. They are slewable in azimuth and elevation. The Akash system can be deployed by rail, road or air.
The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997.
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[[File:Nag with NAMICA Defexpo-2008.JPG|thumb|[[Nag Missile]]]]
'''Nag''' ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]: नाग meaning ''cobra'') is India's third generation "[[
The missile uses an 8 kg [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) [[tandem warhead]] capable of defeating modern armour including [[Explosive reactive armour#Explosive reactive armour|
Separate versions for the Army and the Air Force are being developed. For the Army, the missiles will be carried by specialist carrier vehicles (NAMICA-Nag Missile Carrier) equipped with a [[thermographic camera]] for target acquisition. NAMICA is a modified [[BMP-2]] [[infantry fighting vehicle]] licence produced as "Sarath" in India. The carriers are capable of carrying four ready-to-fire missiles in the observation/launch platform which can be elevated with more missiles available for reload within the carrier. For the Air Force, a nose-mounted thermal imaging system has been developed for guiding the missile's trajectory "Helina". The missile has a completely [[fiberglass]] structure and weighs around 42 kg.
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Nag was test fired for the 45th time on 19 March 2005 from the Test Range at [[Ahmednagar]] ([[Maharashtra]]), signalling the completion of the developmental phase. It will now enter the production phase, subject to user trials and acceptance by the [[Indian Army]].
Further versions of the missile may make use of an all-weather [[Extremely high frequency|
==See also==
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