‘Astra’ air-to-air missile successfully flight tested from Su-30 MKI

Indian Air Force (IAF) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested indigenous air-to-air missile, ‘ASTRA’, off the coast of Odisha. The beyond-visual-range missile was launched from Su-30 MKI as a part of User trials.

Key Highlights

The live aerial target was engaged accurately demonstrating the capability of India’s first indigenously designed ASTRA, air-to-air missile.

The mission profile was executed in a text book manner as various Radars, Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Sensors tracked the missile and confirmed its engagement with target.

About ASTRA

It has been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the premier research and development organisation of the armed forces in country.

It is capable of engaging targets of different ranges (including long-range and short-range targets) and altitudes.

Range: 70 km

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2019