BALASORE: India is all set to carry out a series of user-specific tests of surface-to-air, anti-aircraft missile Akash from a defence base off the Odisha coast beginning Wednesday. This will be the first test of Akash after its induction into the Air Force on March 3.Sources said the indigenously developed missile would be flight tested from a make-shift launcher on helipad near launching complex no. III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea. The test would be conducted by the Army.At least six trials have been planned this month. The test schedules have been finalised for May 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31. The missile would target Pilot-less Target Aircraft (PTA) three times and the parachutes the rest three times.“Preparation for the mission has reached final stage. The Air Force team from Kaleikunda air base on Tuesday successfully carried out a range precision exercise. Both the Akash and PTA teams are ready for the tests,” said a defence official.Akash is a mobile, multiple-target handling and medium range Air Defence missile developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
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