New Delhi (ISJ): India test-fired Astra ? the indigenously developed beyond visual range air-to-air missile from the combat aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI from a Naval range in the western sector on Sunday (May 04). Astra is India?s first beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed and developed by Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), with high single shot kill probability (SSKP), making it highly reliable. It is an all-weather missile with active Radar terminal guidance, electronic counter-counter measures (ECCM) features, smokeless propulsion and process improved effectiveness in multi-target scenario, said a press release by DRDO.
The air-launch was captured by side and forward looking high speed cameras and the separation was exactly as per simulation. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd carried out the modification of Su-30 alongwith specialists from the user agency, IAF.
?Astra?s successful launch from the Su30 combat aircraft is a major stop in missile aircraft integration. Extensive flight testing that has preceded today?s air launch was indeed a joint effort of DRDO and IAF,? said an elated Avinash Chander, Director General of DRDO and Secretary Department of Research and Development. ?Many more travels are planned and will be conducted to clear the launch envelope. Weapon integration with ?Tejas? Light Combat Aircraft will also be done in the near future.?
The missiles have undergone rigorous testing on Su30 in the captive mode for avionics integration and Seeker evaluation in 2013. It is now in the final testing and evaluation and the MKII variant with higher range capability is planned to be tested by the end of 2014.
