NEW DELHI – India successfully conducted an interceptor missile test offthe Odisha coast Sunday night, achieving a major milestone in developing atwo-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system, defence sources said, PTI hasreported.

The interceptor was launched from Abdul Kalam island, earlier known asWheeler Island of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), at about 8.05 pm, thesources said.

This Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) mission is for engaging the targets inthe exo-atmosphere region at an altitude above 50 km of the earth’satmosphere, a (DRDO) scientist said.

“Both the PDV interceptor and the target missile were successfullyengaged,” DRDO sources said.

In an automated operation, radar-based detection and tracking systemdetected and tracked the enemy’s ballistic missile.

The computer network with the help of data received from radars predictedthe trajectory of the incoming ballistic missile. The PDV that was keptfully ready took off once the computer system gave the command for lift-off.

The interceptor guided by high-accuracy Inertial Navigation System (INS)supported by a Redundant Micro Navigation System moved towards theestimated point of the interception, the sources said.

Once the missile crossed the atmosphere, the Heat Shield ejected and the IRSeeker dome opened to look at the target location as designated by themission computer.

With the help of Inertial Guidance and IR Seeker the missile moved forinterception.

All events were monitored in real-time by the Telemetry/Range Stations, atvarious other locations.

Interceptor was successfully test fired last from the same base on February11, 2017.