On December 28, 2017, India successfully test-fired its in-house designed and developed Advanced Air Defense (AAD) supersonic interceptor missile capable of destroying any low altitude incoming ballistic missile. This was the third supersonic interceptor test carried out for the year.
The single stage solid rocket-propelled AAD interceptor missile is part of India’s planned two-layered ballistic missile defense system and is designed to shoot down incoming enemy missiles at altitudes of 12-25 miles. According to sources at India’s Defense Research Development Organization who organized the test, the AAD interceptor destroyed an incoming Prithvi ballistic missile within 18.5 miles of the earth’s atmosphere.
The interceptor is a guided missile equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator. It has its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities, and sophisticated radars. It can intercept medium-range ballistic missiles traveling at speeds of Mach 3 to 8.
