India test-fires Astra, beyond-visual-range, air-to-air missile
13 Sep 2008
Balasore: India today successfully test fired the indigenous air-to-air, beyond-visual-range (BVR), anti-aircraft missile 'Astra', capable of targeting aircraft up to ranges of 110 km. The test firing took place at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Orissa.
The BVR missile is intended for use by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Once operationalised the missile will be deployed on-board the IAF's combat fighter aircraft, such as the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft the Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI and the MiG-29.
"Astra is a beyond visual range air-to-air missile. The test was a success. There may be some more tests in the next couple of days," Integrated Test Range director SP Das was quoted as saying. The futuristic missile was test-fired from a launcher in the launch pad number 2 of the ITR complex at about 1205 hours.
After data analysis of the flight test, another test may be conducted in the next couple of days if needed, defence sources said.
"Before being made full operational, the complex missile system would undergo some more trials, though test on its navigation, control, air frame, propulsion and other sub-system have been validated," said a source from the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) at ITR.
The single stage, solid fuelled 'Astra' missile "is more advanced in its category than the contemporary BVR missiles and it is capable of engaging and destroying highly manoeuvrable supersonic aerial targets," the source added.
Astra is a high-end tactical missile capable of engaging and destroying fast-moving aircraft at supersonic speed.
Though the exact range of today's trial has not been disclosed, scientists are working to ensure that 'Astra' performs effectively at different altitudes - one cruising at an altitude of 15 km with 90 to 110 km range, another at an altitude up to 30,000 ft, having a range of 44 km and the third at sea level altitude with a range of 30 km.
