Improved Guided Pinaka rockets successfully test-fired for 2nd time

Improved Pinaka rockets, with a guidance system and an enhanced range were successfully test-fired for the second time from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.

The guided version dubbed as Pinaka mark-II, has been evolved version of Pinaka mark-I.

Its first successful test flight was conducted from the same venue on January 12, 2017.

Key Points

The earlier Pinaka version was an unguided one, now it has been transformed into guided version with a navigation, guidance and control kit developed by the DRDO’s Research Centre, Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.

It was developed jointly by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, RCI, and the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.

Significance

The conversion into improved guided Pinaka rockets has helped in enhancing the range and accuracy of Pinaka. The earlier range was 40 km, but now it is more than 70 km.

The success of the guided Pinaka also has reinforced the technological strength of India in converting the unguided systems into weapons of high precision.

Current Affairs 24th January, 2017
Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, December, 2016