Missile warheads at supersonic speeds, on the ground

India has joined an exclusive club of four countries that can test payloads for missile and rocket technology by simulating a flight environment on the ground.

Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab in Chandigarh, has indigenously developed the facility known as the Rail Track Rocket Sled Penta Rail Supersonic Track, RTRS in short. It is a four km rail track where the trials are being conducted.

Some confidential tests have already been conducted on this range, which includes recovery of crew capsules in manned space missions. Officials refuse to give more details on this at present.

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