DRDO to undertake first full test flight of ASTRA missile
Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 29 July 2008 07:51 - Last Updated Tuesday, 29 July 2008 09:51
In a major technology leap, Indian defence scientists are ready to go ahead with the first full test
flight of its indigenously developed air to air beyond visual range missile, ASTRA.
The test flight from an IAF Sukhoi fighter aircraft could be undertaken "anytime in the next 45
days", top DRDO officials said.
A successful test flight of ASTRA will plunge India into a select group of nations to have such a
technology.
Only US, France, Russia and China have so far produced such advance missiles, which
enables fighter pilots to lock-on and shoot down enemy aircraft almost 90-120 km away.
Describing ASTRA as a futuristic missile, DRDO scientists said the weapon will intercept the
target at mach 1.2 to 1.4 speed.
The missile has already been tested on ground to prove its avionics, guidance and other
sub-systems including propulsion.
Any success with air to air ASTRA missile will come as another milestone in defence research
and cap recent strings of success the DRDO scientists have had in building at producing for the
country -- short to medium range -- surface to surface missile system capable of delivering
nuclear war heads at long distances.
The test firing of the ASTRA missile may coincide with the second test firing of country's
anti-missile missile, which is also due by September this year.
The defence scientists are also near breakthrough in test firing the country's first underwater
launch ballistic missile, Sagarika.
Sagarika has already been test fired from a pontoon, but now DRDO is planning a full-fledged
test of the missile from a sub-marine and for this purpose may use the services of a Russian
Amur class sub-marine.
Planned to arm the country's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas, ASTRA after user trail by
IAF may now be initially integrated with the SU-30 MKI and later with LCA.
Though DRDO scientist refused to give out the range of the ASTRA missile, sources said for
extreme high altitude interdiction the initial series of ASTRA missile will have 90-110 km skill
range.
But at lower altitudes of up to 30,000 ft the missile will have a range of 44 kms and those
launched at sea level of up to 30 kms.
1 / 2DRDO to undertake first full test flight of ASTRA missile
Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 29 July 2008 07:51 - Last Updated Tuesday, 29 July 2008 09:51
DRDO officials said ASTRA could also arm the IAF's frontline aircraft MIG-29 and Mirage 2000
which are to go in for mid-life upgradation this year.
Notwithstanding the test firing of ASTRA, the upgraded Mirage 2000 are also likely to be armed
with MBDA's new meteor world-class air to air beyond visual range missiles.
Along with undertaking testing of various range of missiles, the DRDO is pursuing with vigour
new futuristic missile technology based on hyper-sonic rockets.
Under this project, the Indian scientists are developing a hyper-sonic vehicle which will have a
dual use technology.
These hyper-sonic missiles with a speed of more than Mach 5 can be converted as long-range
cruise missiles of the future.
"The laboratory trails are progressing well and when finally developed this hyper sonic rocket
systems can also be used for launching satellites at low cost," DRDO officials said.
The DRDO is also focusing on development of multiple role missiles, under which a single
missile would incorporate precision guided sub-munitions which would attack multiple target
instead of a single target.
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