Balasore: The country's most sophisticated short-range missile "Trishul" was successfully test-fired from the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 kms from Balasore on September 24.

The indigenously developed surface-to-air missile was test fired from a mobile launcher at about 16:25 hours, ITR sources said.

The solid fuel propelled "Trishul", developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has a triple battlefield role for the Army, Air force and Navy and has a range of 300 metres to 9 km with a capacity of carrying 15 kg warhead.

ITR sources said today's trial was to gauge the Trishul's accuracy and various other parameters.

It was supposed to hit an insinuated target and for this unmanned micro-light aircraft was put in air as a support system.

The missile, which formed part of the country's integrated guided missile development programme is about three metres in length and 200 cms in diameter. It flies at a supersonic speed.

"Trishul", a command to line-of-fight guidance missile, has a sensitive radar altimeter and height-lock-loop control on-board. This helps the Navy version of the missile to skim over the sea at a very low altitude.

PTI