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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 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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