Akash, the indigenously developed surface-to-air missile, was test fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur on Friday, Defence Research and Development Organisation sources said.

The sophisticated multi-target missile was test fired from a mobile launcher at about 1230 IST.
 
Earlier, Lakshya, the pilotless target aircraft, was test flown from the ITR at 1210 IST and Akash was fired at an object attached to the PTA.

The missile has a range of 27 km with an effective ceiling of 15 km, the sources said. It uses an Integral Ramjet Rocket Propulsion System and has a low reaction time.

The sleek missile, with a 700 kg launch weight, can carry a 60 kg warhead.

Akash operates in conjunction with Rajendra Surveillance and Engagement Radar being developed by Electronic Research and Development Establishment.

The radar is capable of tracking 64 targets and guide up to 12 missiles simultaneously.