NEW DELHI: Within less than a month of securing the waiver from Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for nuclear commerce, India yesterday successfully test fired the indigenously developed beyond-visual-range (BVR) “air-to-air” missile “Astra” in Chandipur-on-sea area, off Orissa coast.
This was first of the series of tests likely to be conducted within a week by defense scientists of BVR “Astra,” which in Hindi means weapon. “Astra belongs to BVR range of missiles capable of ducking radar eyes and attacking enemy targets up to 80 kilometers,” sources said.
Astra missile, a part of the country’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), has been developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). India aims to equip its Air Force’s Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) with an indigenously-designed beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
The missile uses a terminal active radar-seeker and a mid-course internal guidance system with updates to track targets.
The on-board capability allows it to jam radar signals from an enemy’s surface-to-air battery, ensuring that the missile is not tracked or shot down.
