Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) ‘Astra’ from Su-30 MKI platform off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha. These trials were held from 16-19 September 2019 and were conducted by Indian Air Force (IAF) against Jet Banshee target aircraft simulating all possible threat scenarios.
Key Highlights
The 5 trials conducted during 16-19 September tested missiles in different configurations and all the subsystems performed accurately met all mission parameters and objectives.
During the trial campaign, 3 missiles were launched in combat configuration with warhead and manoeuvring targets were neutralized to establish the end game capability of missile. The trials also included a direct hit of the target by telemetered missile at maximum range.
The missile has completed the user trial phase of weapon system successfully.
The present flight trials have proved the end to end performance of missile system in various combat scenarios thus giving greater confidence to users.
The 5 successful trials of Astra will culminate into induction of missile system into Indian Air Force (IAF), which will certainly be a force multiplier considering its accuracy and effectiveness in neutralizing aerial threats.
About ASTRA
It is a state-of-the-art BVRAAM. It has range of more than 100 kms.
It also has modern guidance and navigation techniques.
The missile has midcourse guidance and Radio Frequency (RF) seeker based terminal guidance to achieve target destruction with pin point accuracy.
It has been developed by DRDO, together with Indian Air Force (IAF). Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a major role in modifying aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building Astra weapon system.