Astra BVRAAM missile test firing successful
11 Jan 2010
Balasore, Orissa: India successfully test fired its prestigious 'Astra' beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the Orissa coast on Monday, bringing it a step closer to operational induction.
"It was a very good flight. The test was conducted to prove the control system," ITR director SP Dash informed the media.
Another test is scheduled later in the day, he added.
The 'Astra' is a high-end tactical missile and is meant to intercept enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds in head-on mode at a range of 80 km and in tail-chase mode at 20 km.
The missile is intended to be eventually integrated with the IAF's Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, Mirage 2000, Jaguar and the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
A previous test in May 2009 saw the missile's dual mode guidance being validated. This was a ground test. An earlier test in September 2008 saw the missile's navigation, control, air frame, propulsion and other sub-systems being validated.
