India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed, nuclear-capable, ballistic missile Prithvi-II from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, about 15 km from here off the Orissa coast. Prithvi-II, with a maximum striking range of 250 km, is capable of carrying a pay-load of 500 kg. The surface-to-surface missile is also capable of taking nuclear warhead. Prithvi, the first ballistic missile developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), is propelled by liquid propulsion twin engine. With a length of nine metre and one metre diameter, Prithvi-II uses an advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory. In September this year, the missile failed to take off causing a huge embarrassment for India.
