ID :
183534
Sat, 05/21/2011 - 19:59
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https://www.oananews.org//node/183534
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Astra interceptor missile successfully test fired again
Balasore (Orissa), May 21 (PTI) For the second time in
two days, India on Saturday successfully test fired
indigenously developed air-to-air Astra interceptor missile
with an 80 km range from Chandipur in Orissa.
Developed by Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO), the Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air
missile was test-fired on Friday also to study the
modifications incorporated in its main frame and flight
systems.
"The missile was test-fired around 1032 hrs from the
Integrated Test Range and the trial was successful," Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources said.
The missile is envisaged to intercept and destroy
enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds in the head-on mode at a
range of 80 km and in tail-chase mode at 20 km.
"The missile is on developmental stage and we are yet
to check all of its performance parameters before conducting
the user trials. More such tests are scheduled to take place.
Necessary modifications are made after every test ," DRDO
officials said in Delhi.
Every time a development test-fire takes place the
missile is checked against few pre-decided coordinates and
parameters which helps in improving its performance. The
results are further evaluated to make it perfect, the
officials added.
On Friday, the missile was test-fired at around 0950
hours, to gauge performance of its motor, propulsion system
and the configurations of the vehicle and aero-dynamics
performance.
"The complete evaluation of all the parameters and
coordinates may take some time as few more tests are
expected," said the officials.
Following a series of successful tests, the missile
would be user-tested to suit the requirement of air-dominance
fighter jets like Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Light Combat Aircraft
Tejas in the inventory of Indian Air Force (IAF).
Based on solid propellant, Astra can carry a
conventional warhead of 15 kg. It is one of the smallest
missiles developed by the DRDO in terms of size and weight.
It is 3.8-metre long and has a diameter of 178 mm with
an overall launch weight of 160 kg.
With its state-of-art technology, the missile's reach
in air can be extended when it is fired from different
altitudeS.
It can cover 110 km when launched from an altitude of
15 km, 44 km when fired from an altitude of eight km and 21 km
when the altitude is at sea-level.
DRDO officials said it is more advanced than the
similar class of missiles of the US, Russia and France.
The missile’s captive flight tests from Su-30 MKI were
carried out near Pune in November 2009 when seven sorties were
conducted.
"Before the sophisticated anti air-craft missile would
be integrated with fighter aircraft like Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and
Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, it would undergo some rigorous
and flawless tests both from ground and fighter jets," said a
scientist associated with the project.
Astra’s first flight trial took place on May 9, 2003
from the ITR at Chandipur.
two days, India on Saturday successfully test fired
indigenously developed air-to-air Astra interceptor missile
with an 80 km range from Chandipur in Orissa.
Developed by Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO), the Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air
missile was test-fired on Friday also to study the
modifications incorporated in its main frame and flight
systems.
"The missile was test-fired around 1032 hrs from the
Integrated Test Range and the trial was successful," Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources said.
The missile is envisaged to intercept and destroy
enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds in the head-on mode at a
range of 80 km and in tail-chase mode at 20 km.
"The missile is on developmental stage and we are yet
to check all of its performance parameters before conducting
the user trials. More such tests are scheduled to take place.
Necessary modifications are made after every test ," DRDO
officials said in Delhi.
Every time a development test-fire takes place the
missile is checked against few pre-decided coordinates and
parameters which helps in improving its performance. The
results are further evaluated to make it perfect, the
officials added.
On Friday, the missile was test-fired at around 0950
hours, to gauge performance of its motor, propulsion system
and the configurations of the vehicle and aero-dynamics
performance.
"The complete evaluation of all the parameters and
coordinates may take some time as few more tests are
expected," said the officials.
Following a series of successful tests, the missile
would be user-tested to suit the requirement of air-dominance
fighter jets like Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Light Combat Aircraft
Tejas in the inventory of Indian Air Force (IAF).
Based on solid propellant, Astra can carry a
conventional warhead of 15 kg. It is one of the smallest
missiles developed by the DRDO in terms of size and weight.
It is 3.8-metre long and has a diameter of 178 mm with
an overall launch weight of 160 kg.
With its state-of-art technology, the missile's reach
in air can be extended when it is fired from different
altitudeS.
It can cover 110 km when launched from an altitude of
15 km, 44 km when fired from an altitude of eight km and 21 km
when the altitude is at sea-level.
DRDO officials said it is more advanced than the
similar class of missiles of the US, Russia and France.
The missile’s captive flight tests from Su-30 MKI were
carried out near Pune in November 2009 when seven sorties were
conducted.
"Before the sophisticated anti air-craft missile would
be integrated with fighter aircraft like Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and
Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, it would undergo some rigorous
and flawless tests both from ground and fighter jets," said a
scientist associated with the project.
Astra’s first flight trial took place on May 9, 2003
from the ITR at Chandipur.
