Astra (Weapon) is an active radar homing Beyond visual range air to air missile (BVRAAM) or a so called Beyond Visual Range missile being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India. This is the first air-to-air missile developed by India and if tested successfully India would join a prestigious group of countries that are US, France,Israel,Japan,Russia,South Africa and China who have so far produced such advanced missiles, which enables fighter pilots to lock-on and shoot down enemy aircraft 90-120 km away.
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Astra Missile - News & Discussion
- Thread starter Tiger
- Start date
DRDO to undertake first full test flight of ASTRA missile
by : DD news
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.
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
by : DD news
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.
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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India's Astra missile flight test in September
by : Thaindian News
Bangalore, Aug 29 (IANS) India will conduct the guided flight test of air-to-air missile Astra next month at Chandipur-on-sea in Orissa, a top defence official said Friday.
'We have kept the launch window open for the flight test with the guidance systems of Astra from Sep 10-15. We will conduct the test on any one of the days when the weather is favourable,' defence scientist V.K. Saraswat told IANS here.
State-run Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has already completed the control flights of Astra, designed for an 80-km range in head-on mode and 20 km-range in tail-chase mode.
The beyond visual range missile has been integrated with the carrier aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI. Integration with other fighter jets (Mirage 2000 and MiG 29) will be taken up after the guided test to verify its accuracy in destroying manoeuvring targets.
'The results of various tests conducted in the development stages have been positive. The feedback has enabled us to prepare for the guided test and subsequent induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF),' Saraswat said at a defence conference on 'Networking and network-centric operations', organised by the Computer Society of India.
The Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) took nearly five years to develop the 150-kg tactical missile at an estimated cost of Rs.10 billion under the integrated guided missile development programme of the DRDO. Possessing such a futuristic weapon will propel India into an elite club of countries such as the US, Russia, France and Israel.
In the run-up to the control and guided tests, two experimental flight tests were conducted in March 2007 to study the ballistic performance and control of the missile at low altitudes and shorter ranges.
'The missile can be launched after receiving a signal from the far away target and it will seek and home in using a complex range of onboard manoeuvres based on radio frequency (RF),' Saraswat said.
by : Thaindian News
Bangalore, Aug 29 (IANS) India will conduct the guided flight test of air-to-air missile Astra next month at Chandipur-on-sea in Orissa, a top defence official said Friday.
'We have kept the launch window open for the flight test with the guidance systems of Astra from Sep 10-15. We will conduct the test on any one of the days when the weather is favourable,' defence scientist V.K. Saraswat told IANS here.
State-run Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has already completed the control flights of Astra, designed for an 80-km range in head-on mode and 20 km-range in tail-chase mode.
The beyond visual range missile has been integrated with the carrier aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI. Integration with other fighter jets (Mirage 2000 and MiG 29) will be taken up after the guided test to verify its accuracy in destroying manoeuvring targets.
'The results of various tests conducted in the development stages have been positive. The feedback has enabled us to prepare for the guided test and subsequent induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF),' Saraswat said at a defence conference on 'Networking and network-centric operations', organised by the Computer Society of India.
The Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) took nearly five years to develop the 150-kg tactical missile at an estimated cost of Rs.10 billion under the integrated guided missile development programme of the DRDO. Possessing such a futuristic weapon will propel India into an elite club of countries such as the US, Russia, France and Israel.
In the run-up to the control and guided tests, two experimental flight tests were conducted in March 2007 to study the ballistic performance and control of the missile at low altitudes and shorter ranges.
'The missile can be launched after receiving a signal from the far away target and it will seek and home in using a complex range of onboard manoeuvres based on radio frequency (RF),' Saraswat said.
`Astra` (BVR ) Missile test fired for second consecutive day
BY : ZEE NEWS
'Astra', the indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile was successfully test fired from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Orissa for the second consecutive day on Sunday.
The anti-aircraft missile, capable of ducking radar eyes and attacking enemy targets up to 110 km, was test fired from launch pad number 2 of the ITR complex at about 11.47 am, defence sources said.
The test was conducted after an analysis of the data generated from yesterday's flight trial in order to further validate all major parameters, they said.
'Astra' is a futuristic missile and will inetrcept the target at super-sonic speeds of mach 1.2 to 1.4, Defence Research Development Organisation scientists said.
The sleek single stage, solid fuelled 'Astra' is more advanced in its category than the contemporary BVR missiles and is capable of engaging and destroying highly maneuverable supersonic aerial targets, a DRDO source said.
Some more trials would be conducted before the highly sophisticated missile system before is made fully operational, though test on its navigation, control, air frame, propulsion and other sub-systems have been validated, the source said.
Though the exact range of the trials conducted yesterday and today had not been disclosed, scientists are working to ensure that 'Astra' performed effectively at different altitudes - one cruising at an altitude of 15 km with 90 to 110 km range, another at an altitude up to 30,000 ft, having a range of 44 km and the third at sea level altitude with a range of 30 km, the sources said.
BY : ZEE NEWS
'Astra', the indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile was successfully test fired from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Orissa for the second consecutive day on Sunday.
The anti-aircraft missile, capable of ducking radar eyes and attacking enemy targets up to 110 km, was test fired from launch pad number 2 of the ITR complex at about 11.47 am, defence sources said.
The test was conducted after an analysis of the data generated from yesterday's flight trial in order to further validate all major parameters, they said.
'Astra' is a futuristic missile and will inetrcept the target at super-sonic speeds of mach 1.2 to 1.4, Defence Research Development Organisation scientists said.
The sleek single stage, solid fuelled 'Astra' is more advanced in its category than the contemporary BVR missiles and is capable of engaging and destroying highly maneuverable supersonic aerial targets, a DRDO source said.
Some more trials would be conducted before the highly sophisticated missile system before is made fully operational, though test on its navigation, control, air frame, propulsion and other sub-systems have been validated, the source said.
Though the exact range of the trials conducted yesterday and today had not been disclosed, scientists are working to ensure that 'Astra' performed effectively at different altitudes - one cruising at an altitude of 15 km with 90 to 110 km range, another at an altitude up to 30,000 ft, having a range of 44 km and the third at sea level altitude with a range of 30 km, the sources said.
Astra air-to-air missile to make its first flight
To add punch to IAF’s fleet of Sukhoi, Mig-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas.
Veteran fighter pilots lament the end of the dogfight, the evocative name for a twisty, sky-ripping, adrenaline-packed aerial duel, in which the winner gets behind his opponent and shoots him down with a burst of cannon fire.
Today, it is less about flying skill, cold nerve and highly-responsive aircraft; the modern-day dogfighting ace is an airborne video-game expert who uses radar to detect his foe at long ranges, and launch a beyond visual range (BVR) missile even before his victim realises that the engagement has begun.
Just days from now, a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter will take off from an Indian Air Force (IAF) base, an Astra missile fitted on its wing. This will be the first-ever flight of this indigenously developed BVR missile, which the IAF hopes will add punch to its fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-29, Mirage-2000 and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fighters.
The Astra, built by the Defence R&D Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, will allow IAF pilots to hit enemy aircraft up to 44 km away, at altitudes up to 20,000 metres. Improving on that will be the Astra Mk II, with a longer range of 80 km.
The Astra incorporates many cutting-edge technologies. Here is how an Astra would take on an enemy fighter: an IAF fighter’s radar picks up the target; the pilot launches an Astra missile. A high-energy propellant quickly boosts the missile to several times the speed of sound. At ranges beyond 15 km, the Astra cannot “see” its target, so the IAF fighter guides the missile, relaying the target’s continually changing position over a secure radio link. Once it is 15 km from the target, the Astra’s onboard seeker picks up the target; after that the Astra homes in on its own.
At this point, the target would start turning and diving to throw off the missile. But the Astra manoeuvres better, and moves much faster, than even the most agile fighters. A radio proximity fuse measures the distance to the target. When the target is within 5 metres, the Astra’s radio proximity fuse detonates its warhead, sending a volley of shrapnel ripping through the enemy fighter.
Most of these technologies have already been proven. The propulsion system, the data link between the aircraft and the Astra, the radio proximity fuse, the onboard computer, the inertial navigation system and other key technologies were developed at the DRDO’s missile complex in Hyderabad.
The Astra’s seeker is still imported from Russia, but the DRDO hopes to develop one.
The forthcoming test with a Sukhoi-30MKI is called a “captive flight trial”; it will evaluate whether the Astra can withstand the physical stresses of supersonic flying and high-speed manoeuvring. Early in 2010, a “captive-II flight trial” will check whether the Astra’s avionics are properly matched with those of the Sukhoi-30MKI. The fighter should receive the missile’s signals; and the Astra should receive the aircraft’s commands.
“Matching an Indian missile with a Russian fighter’s avionics has turned out to be a complex task”, explains Mukesh Chand, one of the Astra’s key developers, “But the Astra will be much better integrated with the Indian Tejas LCA.”
Only in October 2010, after all the Astra’s systems are certified airworthy, will a live Astra be fired from a fighter. But the project scientists are confident; in a September 2008 test in Balasore, Orissa, a ground-launched Astra shot down an electronic target, validating many of the most complex technologies.
A drawback in the Astra remains its high weight; even a heavy fighter like the Sukhoi-30MKI cannot carry the missile on its wingtip stations. In comparison with the Astra’s estimated 150 kg, other BVR missiles like the Israeli Derby weigh around 100 kg only.
Nevertheless, the IAF believes the Astra will usefully supplement India’s inventory of BVR missiles. The Russian R-77 Adder, which arms India’s Russian aircraft fleet, faces worrying questions about its reliability. And the R530D missile, carried by the Mirage-2000, is nearing obsolescence.
source : Business standard
To add punch to IAF’s fleet of Sukhoi, Mig-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas.
Veteran fighter pilots lament the end of the dogfight, the evocative name for a twisty, sky-ripping, adrenaline-packed aerial duel, in which the winner gets behind his opponent and shoots him down with a burst of cannon fire.
Today, it is less about flying skill, cold nerve and highly-responsive aircraft; the modern-day dogfighting ace is an airborne video-game expert who uses radar to detect his foe at long ranges, and launch a beyond visual range (BVR) missile even before his victim realises that the engagement has begun.
Just days from now, a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter will take off from an Indian Air Force (IAF) base, an Astra missile fitted on its wing. This will be the first-ever flight of this indigenously developed BVR missile, which the IAF hopes will add punch to its fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-29, Mirage-2000 and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fighters.
The Astra, built by the Defence R&D Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, will allow IAF pilots to hit enemy aircraft up to 44 km away, at altitudes up to 20,000 metres. Improving on that will be the Astra Mk II, with a longer range of 80 km.
The Astra incorporates many cutting-edge technologies. Here is how an Astra would take on an enemy fighter: an IAF fighter’s radar picks up the target; the pilot launches an Astra missile. A high-energy propellant quickly boosts the missile to several times the speed of sound. At ranges beyond 15 km, the Astra cannot “see” its target, so the IAF fighter guides the missile, relaying the target’s continually changing position over a secure radio link. Once it is 15 km from the target, the Astra’s onboard seeker picks up the target; after that the Astra homes in on its own.
At this point, the target would start turning and diving to throw off the missile. But the Astra manoeuvres better, and moves much faster, than even the most agile fighters. A radio proximity fuse measures the distance to the target. When the target is within 5 metres, the Astra’s radio proximity fuse detonates its warhead, sending a volley of shrapnel ripping through the enemy fighter.
Most of these technologies have already been proven. The propulsion system, the data link between the aircraft and the Astra, the radio proximity fuse, the onboard computer, the inertial navigation system and other key technologies were developed at the DRDO’s missile complex in Hyderabad.
The Astra’s seeker is still imported from Russia, but the DRDO hopes to develop one.
The forthcoming test with a Sukhoi-30MKI is called a “captive flight trial”; it will evaluate whether the Astra can withstand the physical stresses of supersonic flying and high-speed manoeuvring. Early in 2010, a “captive-II flight trial” will check whether the Astra’s avionics are properly matched with those of the Sukhoi-30MKI. The fighter should receive the missile’s signals; and the Astra should receive the aircraft’s commands.
“Matching an Indian missile with a Russian fighter’s avionics has turned out to be a complex task”, explains Mukesh Chand, one of the Astra’s key developers, “But the Astra will be much better integrated with the Indian Tejas LCA.”
Only in October 2010, after all the Astra’s systems are certified airworthy, will a live Astra be fired from a fighter. But the project scientists are confident; in a September 2008 test in Balasore, Orissa, a ground-launched Astra shot down an electronic target, validating many of the most complex technologies.
A drawback in the Astra remains its high weight; even a heavy fighter like the Sukhoi-30MKI cannot carry the missile on its wingtip stations. In comparison with the Astra’s estimated 150 kg, other BVR missiles like the Israeli Derby weigh around 100 kg only.
Nevertheless, the IAF believes the Astra will usefully supplement India’s inventory of BVR missiles. The Russian R-77 Adder, which arms India’s Russian aircraft fleet, faces worrying questions about its reliability. And the R530D missile, carried by the Mirage-2000, is nearing obsolescence.
source : Business standard
Captive flight trials of Astra missile carried out
India’s missile programme took a crucial step forward on Saturday with Indian Air Force test pilots carrying out the captive flight trials of the indigenously designed and developed Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
A Su-30MKI combat aircraft especially tasked for the trials took off from Air Force Station Lohegaon (Pune) for a 90-minute sortie with the Astra missile. Till Thursday, four sorties, including flying the missile to super sonic speeds and to 7Gs, had been accomplished. Captive trials are mandatory to actual firing of the missile from the aircraft.
The active, radar homing Astra — India’s first air-to-air missile — which, at its design altitude of 15 km, will enable fighter pilots to lock-on, evade radar and shoot down enemy aircraft about 80 km away, is part of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme and has been under development at a number of defence laboratories led by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory.
Astra can be compared to the U.S.’ AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, France’s MICA (Missile d’interception et de combat aérien, “Interception and Aerial Combat Missile”) and Russia’s R77 (RVV-AE) missile.
The ground launch of Astra was successfully conducted at Chandipur-on-Sea, off the Orissa coast in September 2008.
Captive flight trials involve the Su-30MKI carrying under its wings at one of its six hard points (stations designated for the carrying of stores) an inert missile (with no explosives but simulating the real missile) which has not been electrically or electronically ‘connected’ to the aircraft’s on-board systems.
Captive or aero mechanical integrity tests allows a verification of aspects such as the mechanical, structural and electrical compatibility between the missile and the aircraft, and whether vibrations, strain, stress, etc. are within design levels.
Only after the missile is proven in captive flight trials can it be fired from an aircraft.Disclosing news of Phase 1 of the captive flight trails which have come after about four years of planning and certification, senior officials said the trials would cover the entire flight envelope of the Su-30MKI, including attaining the fighter’s altitude ceiling of 18 km and a speed of 1.8 Mach, and undertaking the various complicated manoeuvres that the aircraft is designed for. The trials are likely to involve around 15 sorties.
Though the missile has been indigenously developed, Astra currently depends on a Russian launcher and seeker head. The seeker is yet to be integrated with the missile’s radar, algorithms, etc.
Officials said Astra has been designed to pull a latax (lateral acceleration) of 40g. (40 times the acceleration due to gravity).
source : The Hindu
India’s missile programme took a crucial step forward on Saturday with Indian Air Force test pilots carrying out the captive flight trials of the indigenously designed and developed Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
A Su-30MKI combat aircraft especially tasked for the trials took off from Air Force Station Lohegaon (Pune) for a 90-minute sortie with the Astra missile. Till Thursday, four sorties, including flying the missile to super sonic speeds and to 7Gs, had been accomplished. Captive trials are mandatory to actual firing of the missile from the aircraft.
The active, radar homing Astra — India’s first air-to-air missile — which, at its design altitude of 15 km, will enable fighter pilots to lock-on, evade radar and shoot down enemy aircraft about 80 km away, is part of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme and has been under development at a number of defence laboratories led by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory.
Astra can be compared to the U.S.’ AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, France’s MICA (Missile d’interception et de combat aérien, “Interception and Aerial Combat Missile”) and Russia’s R77 (RVV-AE) missile.
The ground launch of Astra was successfully conducted at Chandipur-on-Sea, off the Orissa coast in September 2008.
Captive flight trials involve the Su-30MKI carrying under its wings at one of its six hard points (stations designated for the carrying of stores) an inert missile (with no explosives but simulating the real missile) which has not been electrically or electronically ‘connected’ to the aircraft’s on-board systems.
Captive or aero mechanical integrity tests allows a verification of aspects such as the mechanical, structural and electrical compatibility between the missile and the aircraft, and whether vibrations, strain, stress, etc. are within design levels.
Only after the missile is proven in captive flight trials can it be fired from an aircraft.Disclosing news of Phase 1 of the captive flight trails which have come after about four years of planning and certification, senior officials said the trials would cover the entire flight envelope of the Su-30MKI, including attaining the fighter’s altitude ceiling of 18 km and a speed of 1.8 Mach, and undertaking the various complicated manoeuvres that the aircraft is designed for. The trials are likely to involve around 15 sorties.
Though the missile has been indigenously developed, Astra currently depends on a Russian launcher and seeker head. The seeker is yet to be integrated with the missile’s radar, algorithms, etc.
Officials said Astra has been designed to pull a latax (lateral acceleration) of 40g. (40 times the acceleration due to gravity).
source : The Hindu