Context

• India successfully conducted interceptor missile test off the Odisha coast.
• With this, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) achieved a major milestone in developing indigenous two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system.

About

• Prithvi Defence Vehicle interceptor missile was launched from Abdul Kalam Island (earlier known as Wheeler Island) of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off Odisha coast.
• Its mission was aimed at test-firing of interceptor missile of coast of Odisha to intercept an incoming ballistic missile off the Bay of Bengal.
• During the test, both PDV interceptor and target missile were successfully engaged in automated operation. In this operation mode, the radar-based detection and tracking system of missile system detected and tracked target ballistic missile.
• The computer network with help of data received from radars predicted trajectory of incoming ballistic missile. Based on this inputs PVD was fired for an interception and destroyed the incoming missile target with high accuracy.

Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) mission

• Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) mission has been developed by indigenously by DRDO. It is a two-stage missile and both stages are powered by solid propellants.
• It is intended to replace the existing Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) in PAD/Advanced Air Defence (AAD) combination.
• It is designed for engaging targets in exo-atmosphere region at altitude 50 km of earth’s atmosphere.
• It is guided by high-accuracy Inertial Navigation System (INS) supported by Redundant Micro Navigation System for estimating point of interception.
• Once missile crosses the atmosphere, its heat shield is ejected and IR Seeker dome is opened to look at target location as designated by mission computer.
• With help of Inertial Guidance and IR seeker, missile moves for interception. The missile is also fitted with Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, developed by DRDO, to distinguish between incoming warheads and decoys.