Indian Missile News And Discussion

[Arun_S]

BTW the second stage is very very similar in size to the composite second stage of the Agni-II.



Also this RV is of a different design and appers longer than that of AGni-III (since this one is IMHO is a BGRV)



If one is wondering why did they go for different diameter for upper stage; two reasons come to mind:

1. The BGRV is optimized and for desired Beta it finishing diameter is what it is. For a choice of adapting to a thicker upper stage one has to put in an adapter that adds to length and drag at crucial acending High-Q point. transiting to thicker dia later increases the missile beta, better aerodynamics during Hi-Q, as well as structurally more sound.
2. For a given mass of upper stage, as the mass gets smaller the length of the stage does not decrease proportionally. So if high i snot a problem it is better to use a thinner dia.

The other incidental advantage is DRDO has already planned and realized the upper stage that is common to both A-II and A-II'(prime) over a long term plan.



I am advised by a key senior person that one of teh reason there are too few A-II manufactured is because it is the A-II'(prime) {that I used to refer as A-II(AT)} that will form the mainstay of Indian medium range missile force.