Scientists begin analysis to track missile glitch

Bhubaneswar: A day after the long-range cruise missile 'Nirbhay' deviated off course during its maiden launch off the Odisha coast, scientists on Wednesday began the post-mission analysis to locate the fault, a defence scientist said.

The sub-sonic missile that was launched from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district, about 230 km from Bhubaneswar, deviated from its intended course after travelling approximately halfway.

Scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who were involved in the development and launch of the missile met at Chandipur and started analyzing the telemetry data.

"We should not rush to any conclusion because it involves a large amount of data. We are doing a very very thorough investigation," a scientist involved in the mission said.

"It will take at least a month," said the scientist on the expected time required to complete the investigation. He said the post-mission analysis committee has already started looking into the matter.

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The Nirbhay missile is claimed to be similar to the US Tomahawk, which can fly like an aircraft and is capable of travelling up to 1,000 km.

Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO laboratory based in Bangalore, Nirbhay could be launched from land, sea and air. The surface-to-surface missile has good loitering capability; advanced navigation system and can provide high degree of accuracy.

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It can travel at a very low altitude at a speed of 0.7 mach (nearly 840kmph) and has the ability to fly around the target till it gets an opportunity to attack it.