India test-fires Astra missile again
22 Dec 2012
A day after the developmental trial of `Astra', the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today conducted another successful test of the indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
The missile fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, 15 km from Balasore in Odisha at 3.34 pm today, successfully hit its target, a pilotless aircraft Lakshya.
"The trial was successful. All mission objectives and parameters were met," ITR director MVKV Prasad said.
Astra was successfully launched from the same launch site on Friday as well to validate its reconfigured propulsion, control and guidance systems.
DRDO scientists said Friday's trial was only a rehearsal, adding that today's successful firing was significant as it came a day after a similar trial from the same base.
The single stage, solid fuelled 'Astra' missile is capable of engaging and destroying highly maneuverable supersonic aerial targets. The missile could intercept the target at supersonic speed.
