Preparation on for Fresh Trial of Astra

[CONNAN]

BALASORE: After a series of developmental tests and trials, India is finally readying to induct its beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra, in the Armed forces.

As part of the final round induction phase, the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have begun preparation for a fresh trial of the indigenously developed missile from a defence base off the Odisha coast.

A defence official said the test is likely to be conducted in association with a team of Air Force officials on March 12 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea. “The Astra team has arrived here and they are busy in integrating the missile components. If everything goes as per plan and weather is favourable, the test would be carried out targeting an unmanned aerial vehicle as per schedule,” he told ‘The Express’ on Monday.

Last year, two coordinated trials of the missile from Sukhoi aircraft in May and June were successful.

First tested in 2003, Astra is designed for an 80-km range in head-on mode and 20 km-range in tail-chase mode. The 3.8-metre missile, which has launch weight of about 154 kg, uses solid fuel propellant and a 15-kg high-explosive warhead, activated by a proximity fuse.

Fitted with a terminal active radar-seeker and an updated mid-course internal guidance system, the missile can locate and track targets at different altitudes. It is difficult to track this missile as its on-board electronic counter-measures jam signals from the enemy radars thus making it one of the best missiles in its class, the defence official said.

Astra is more advanced in its category than the contemporary BVR missiles and is capable of engaging and destroying highly manoeuvrable supersonic aerial targets. This futuristic missile can intercept a target at a speed of mach 1.2 to 1.4.

“The anti-aircraft missile, capable of ducking radar eyes is the smallest of the missiles developed by the DRDO. After its induction, the missile will be one of the best of its kind in the world in 100 km strike range,” said a scientist associated with the mission.

Preparation on for Fresh Trial of Astra -The New Indian Express

 

[Echo_419]

BALASORE: After a series of developmental tests and trials, India is finally readying to induct its beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra, in the Armed forces.

As part of the final round induction phase, the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have begun preparation for a fresh trial of the indigenously developed missile from a defence base off the Odisha coast.

A defence official said the test is likely to be conducted in association with a team of Air Force officials on March 12 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea. “The Astra team has arrived here and they are busy in integrating the missile components. If everything goes as per plan and weather is favourable, the test would be carried out targeting an unmanned aerial vehicle as per schedule,” he told ‘The Express’ on Monday.

Last year, two coordinated trials of the missile from Sukhoi aircraft in May and June were successful.

First tested in 2003, Astra is designed for an 80-km range in head-on mode and 20 km-range in tail-chase mode. The 3.8-metre missile, which has launch weight of about 154 kg, uses solid fuel propellant and a 15-kg high-explosive warhead, activated by a proximity fuse.

Fitted with a terminal active radar-seeker and an updated mid-course internal guidance system, the missile can locate and track targets at different altitudes. It is difficult to track this missile as its on-board electronic counter-measures jam signals from the enemy radars thus making it one of the best missiles in its class, the defence official said.

Astra is more advanced in its category than the contemporary BVR missiles and is capable of engaging and destroying highly manoeuvrable supersonic aerial targets. This futuristic missile can intercept a target at a speed of mach 1.2 to 1.4.

“The anti-aircraft missile, capable of ducking radar eyes is the smallest of the missiles developed by the DRDO. After its induction, the missile will be one of the best of its kind in the world in 100 km strike range,” said a scientist associated with the mission.

Preparation on for Fresh Trial of Astra -The New Indian Express

Let's hope all the trials are successful & the missile is Inducted fast

 

[Sri]

Again the news is confusing on its range at one place it states as 80 and at the end says 100km and in most of the other sources it states 'The current version will have max range of 40 and later version will be 80'. So what is its max range at altitude ( Max altitude).

Any one has this info? ( I mean if someone has visited Aero Bangalore and got this info).
Tx.

 

[GORKHALI]

Again the news is confusing on its range at one place it states as 80 and at the end says 100km and in most of the other sources it states 'The current version will have max range of 40 and later version will be 80'. So what is its max range at altitude ( Max altitude).

Any one has this info? ( I mean if someone has visited Aero Bangalore and got this info).
Tx.

Well its the 80 Km class BVR and to get this kind of range you need to be above 6500ft.

 

[kurup]

Again the news is confusing on its range at one place it states as 80 and at the end says 100km and in most of the other sources it states 'The current version will have max range of 40 and later version will be 80'. So what is its max range at altitude ( Max altitude).

Any one has this info? ( I mean if someone has visited Aero Bangalore and got this info).
Tx.

 

[Sri]

Tx for clarification.
So there are no Astra - 1 and Astra - 2 versions. There is single version which has a range of 80Km (Max). If true then its good as Vanilla R-77 is 80KM class missile with a weight of 175 Kgs.

 

[kurup]

Tx for clarification.
So there are no Astra - 1 and Astra - 2 versions. There is single version which has a range of 80Km (Max). If true then its good as Vanilla R-77 is 80KM class missile with a weight of 175 Kgs.

No ...... This is the Mk1 version ...... MK2 version with atleast 100km range will be in tests soon .


Comparison of MK1 with other AAMs ,

THis is MK1 version currently in tests ,

This is supposedly the MK2 variant ,

 

[MokshaVimukthi]

No ...... This is the Mk1 version ...... MK2 version with atleast 100km range will be in tests soon .

This is supposedly the MK2 variant ,

Compare the Astra MK2 with the Barak 8

Remember Barak 8 carries an Indian pulse motor.

 

[Ronin]

Any idea about the money this will save India
What does this cost compared to similar foreign missiles

 

[Sri]

No ...... This is the Mk1 version ...... MK2 version with atleast 100km range will be in tests soon .


Comparison of MK1 with other AAMs ,

THis is MK1 version currently in tests ,

This is supposedly the MK2 variant ,

Thanks. The Range looks slightly misleading as A 120 C7 is supposed to have a range of 120 KM, C5 is 105, Mica is supposed to have a range equal to Derby which is 65 KM. The Range mentioned here is engagement range?

 

[kurup]

Compare the Astra MK2 with the Barak 8

Remember Barak 8 carries an Indian pulse motor.

They look very similar in design .....

 

[MokshaVimukthi]

They look very similar in design .....

One would say identical ............. but then more or less all missiles look the same.

 

[kurup]

Thanks. The Range looks slightly misleading as A 120 C7 is supposed to have a range of 120 KM, C5 is 105, Mica is supposed to have a range equal to Derby which is 65 KM. The Range mentioned here is engagement range?

No idea mate .....it is a screenshot taken by Livefist from a video presented at a seminar in Aero India 2011.

One would say identical ............. but then more or less all missiles look the same.

Inspite of the similar visual appearance both of them completely different dimensions .

 

[Sri]

Thanks,
By the way, I found this useful link on BVRs.
Air-to-air missile non-comparison table

 

[MokshaVimukthi]

Inspite of the similar visual appearance both of them completely different dimensions .

We do not have accurate dimensions of both missiles, so you really cannot comment on it.

But it would give credence to the theory that Barak 8 has a speed for mach 4 to 4.5