Russia Preparing for Another SS-19 Test
July 13, 2004 :: Interfax :: News
Russia will test another SS-19 (RS-18) ICBM in mid-August, the Russian Defense told the Russian Interfax news agency. The test is one in a series to extend the life of the SS-19 missile. Interfax notes that the SS-19 is currently on combat duty at the Tatishchevo and Kozelsk units of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-19 Mod 1, SS-19 Mod 2
China Tests S-300 Missile Defense Interceptor
July 7, 2004 :: East Asia Intel :: News
China recently tested an interceptor for its S-300P (SA-10 “Grumble”) air and missile defense system, notes the PLA Daily. A number of the S-300 systems, perhaps as many as 120, were sold to China by Russia, but China is also developing its own versions, the HQ-10 or HQ-15, as well as more advanced missile interceptors which incorporate technology acquired from the American Patriot system, the HQ-9 and the FT-2000. (Article, Link)
» PLA Daily description of test
» More stories on: China, Chinese Missile Defenses, Testing - Foreign
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
India Tests Agni Missile
July 4, 2004 :: News
India today successfully tested what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh termed its “Agni A-1” ballistic missile, in what is likely a response to Pakistan’s Hatf missile tests last month, and the promise of other “important” tests in coming months.
The “Agni A-1” missile, described as having a 700-900 km range, is however probably the same missile as what is also termed the Agni-SR. (The SR stands for Short Range, as it has a lesser range but enhanced maneuverability and reentry technology, than the Agni-1 MRBM from which it was derived.) The Agni-SR is capable of being armed with a 20 kiloton nuclear warhead, and is highly accurate.
The only discrepancy between the comments by Indian “defense sources” about today’s missile test and what was previously known of the Agni-SR, is that the missile launched today is described as having a length of 12 meters, whereas the Agni-SR was previously reported as having a length of 14.8 meters. The same sources, cited by the PTI news agency in New Delhi, added that the missile is powered by a single-stage solid- fuel rocket, and that the missile travels at up to 2.5 km per second. They also confirmed that the so-called “Agni A-1”—like the Agni-SR—had had increased maneuverability and reentry capabilities, as compared to the original Agni missile, from which the Agni SR, Agni 2, and Agni 3 were each derived.
Sunday’s test launch took place from a mobile launcher located at the Integrated Test Range on Wheeler’s Island, in the Bay of Bengal, off India’s Orissa coast. This was reportedly the third test of the missile, with previous tests on January 25, 2002, and January 9, 2003, from the same launch site. (Article, Link)
» Spacewar on Agni launch
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» Missile details: Agni
Russia Fires Strategic Cruise Missile
June 29, 2004 :: Itar-Tass :: News
In addition to testing an SS-N-23 SLBM, Russia today also launched an unidentified strategic cruise missile from a Tu-95MS strategic bomber. ITAR-TASS reports that the missile successfully hit its target at the test range in Novaya Zemlya, located in the Arctic circle.
While the missile was not identified, the Tu-95MS bomber has in the past carried the Kh-55 nuclear capable cruise missile, a new variant of which might have been the subject for testing. A spokesman for the launch quoted by ITAR-Tass commented that the distance from where the bomber took off, the Saratov region, and the missile’s target was some 3,000km, which is roughly the range of the Kh-55. Alternatively, however, Russia could be testing its new Kh-101/102 experimental cruise missile. It also has a range of at least 3,000 km and can also be launched from the Tu-95MS. The Kh-101/102 is expected to enter service next year. (Article, Link)
» Description of Kh-55 cruise missile
» Description of Kh-101/102 cruise missile
» Podvig: Cruise missile could be Kh-55
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Russia Tests SS-N-23 and SS-18 Ballistic Missiles
June 29, 2004 :: Express India :: News
Russia today successfully tested a submarine launched RSM-54 (SS-N-23 or “Skiff”) ballistic missile from the Yekaterinburg Delta IV-class missile submarine submerged in the Barents Sea. The missile traveled some 7,000 km before reaching its target, the Kura testing ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula, located on Russia’s Pacific coast. The missile’s flight across Russia lasted only some 28 minutes. The SS-N-23 missile tested today was the same type as those which failed to launch during naval exercises attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February.
In addition, Russia also launched an SS-18, or RS-20, intercontinental ballistic missile. The SS-18 or “Satan” missile was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 4, SS-N-23
Report: North Korea Opens Round of Nuclear Talks with Short Range Missile Test
June 28, 2004 :: Reuters :: News
The Sankei Shimbun Japanese newspaper and the Kyodo news service reports that North Korea opened a round of nuclear talks with a test of a short-range ballistic missile. The test launch apparently took place from North Korea’s South Hamgyeong Province, involved a mobile launcher, and traveled some 200 kilometers. (Article, Link)
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Possible Agni III Test in July
June 23, 2004 :: News
India’s Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced on June 19 that India would test launch its Agni III missile “as and when required.” The nuclear-capable Agni III has never yet been fired, but tests have been put off since last November. The missile is believed to have a range of about 3,000km. Several days later, defense sources revealed that the missile is scheduled for launch sometime in July. The test should take place in the second week of July, and be launched from the test range in Orissa, east India. (Article, Link)
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» Missile details: Agni-3
North Korea Tests Missile Engine
June 17, 2004 :: News
North Korea in May successfully tested a rocket engine for its long-range Taepo-Dong II missile, reports the Joongang Ilbo South Korean newspaper. The test was said to have taken place in early May, at the Musudan missile complex, in the North Hamgyong province some 120 miles from the Russian border. The paper cited “multiple” diplomatic sources. The Taepo Dong II has been long believed to have a range sufficient to hit Alaska and the Western United States. North Korea is believed to have unsuccessfully tested a missile engine at the same, Musudan missile test site in December of 2002, when the engine failed and destroyed a missile launch pad and other parts of the site. (Article, Link)
» East Asia Intel report of North Korean missile engine test
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» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2
Pakistan Tests Second Hatf-5 Missile in a Week
June 4, 2004 :: Voice of America :: News
A week after testing a Hatf-5 (Ghauri) missile, Pakistan tested a second today. The Hatf-5 is nuclear capable, and said to have a range of 1,500km. Another version, however, called the Hatf-5A, is believed to have a range of 1,800km.
The two test firings took place despite earlier reports that Pakistan was going to test a 3,500 km range “Ghauri-3.” It is possible that Pakistan is intentionally underreporting the range of the missiles, to minimize international concern about their capabilities.
The location and time of the test were not reported. President General Musharraf witnessed the test, and seemed to indicate that Pakistan, unlike Libya, would not “rollback” its missile or nuclear programs. (More »»»)
» Pakistan claims it will test Ghauri-3, with 3,500km range
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India Continuing Work on Agni-III
June 4, 2004 :: Xinhua :: News
India is continuing its work on the Agni-3 missile with a range of 3,000km, reports the Chinese Xinhau news agency, but it is not certain when it might be tested. One of the scientific advisors to the program is quoted as saying that it could be within a year. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Agni-3
