The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday carried out successful test firing of the air-to-air Astra missile system off the Odisha coast, reported ANI. The missile was fired from a Su-30MKI fighter jet and can strike targets beyond 100 km.
The Astra missile will be equipped on the indigenous HAL Tejas Mk1A and upgraded MiG-29 jets, defence officials said.
The Astra air to air missile is a state-of-the-art missile system developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The missile has a range of up to 110 km and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 20 km. The missile is also capable of engaging both agile and non-manoeuvring targets, making it highly versatile in air-to-air combat situations.
The Astra missile uses a solid-propellant rocket motor and an advanced guidance system to achieve its exceptional performance. The missile’s guidance system includes mid-course inertial guidance driven by fibre optic gyroscope with terminal guidance through active radar homing. It is capable of receiving course corrections through a secure data link. This allows the missile to track and engage targets even in adverse weather conditions and electronic countermeasures environments. – Wikipedia
The Astra missile can be launched from various aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, and Tejas fighter jets. The missile is equipped with an on-board radio proximity fuse that enables it to detonate when it is close to its target, ensuring maximum damage.
The missile is a crucial addition to India’s air defence capabilities, providing the country with an indigenous, highly advanced air-to-air missile system.