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Astra (missile)

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Astra
Artist's image of Astra.
TypeAir to Air Missile
Place of origin India
Production history
ManufacturerDRDO
ProducedUnder development [1]
Specifications
Mass154 kg
Length3570 mm
Diameter178 mm
Wingspan254 mm
Warhead15 kg (33 lb) HE fragmentation directional warhead
Detonation
mechanism
Radar proximity fuze
EngineSolid Fuel Rocket
Operational
range
80-110 km[2][3]
Flight ceiling66,000 ft
Maximum speed Mach 4 + (4780 Km/h)
Guidance
system
Inertial, mid-course update and terminal active radar homing (15 km)
Launch
platform
Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas, PAK FA/ Sukhoi/HAL FGFA, Mirage 2000 and Mig-29.

Astra[4] (Sanskrit: अस्त्र, Astra "Weapon") is an active radar homing beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India. Astra is designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets (up to 20 km) and long-range targets (up to 80 km) using alternative propulsion modes.[3] As of May 2011, the missile is undergoing developmental trials.[1]

Development and Trials

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing this advanced beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) to arm the Indian Air Force's Mirage 2000H, MiG-29, Sea Harrier, Su-30MKI, MiG-21 Bison and HAL Tejas fighter aircraft.It uses an in-house developed solid fuel propellant, though DRDO is believed to be looking at rocket/ramjet propulsion similar to that used in its Akash surface-to-air missile project. This missile was successfully tested without control and guidance systems on May 9 to May 12, 2003. The missile was again successfully tested on 25 March 2007.[5] On 27 March the vertical launch of the missile was carried out suggesting the use of the missile as a long range surface to air missile for the Indian Navy to arm its destroyers and frigates and for the Indian Air Force.[6]

The ground testing of the Astra missile was successful. The missile was successfully tested on September 13, 2008. The missile will be able to intercept target aircraft at supersonic speed.[7] Test flight of the missile from IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft will be carried out before induction of the missile into service.[8] On 11 January 2010, India test-fired Astra in the Chandipur-on-sea area, off the Orissa coast however the test wasn't proved successful. A slight failure in electronic system of the missile was reported. Initially planned to arm Jaguar, MIG-29 and indigenous light combat aircraft, Tejas, DRDO officials are now indicating that after user trials, the missile would be integrated with Indian Air Force's front-line fighter aircraft like Sukhoi-30 MKIs and Mirage-2000s.

The testing of the dual-mode guidance was carried out in May 2009.[9] Captive flight trials of Astra missile were carried out in November 2009.[10] Another set of trials were conducted on 11 Jan 2010 at Balasore in Orissa.[11]

The programme ran into rough weather for an year owing to controllability issues and higher than expected rolling moments at high angles of attack. The new symmetric configuration fully addresses these concerns and the whole of 2012 will be dedicated to testing a number of missiles from the ground to prove the configuration and engagement envelopes. Two subsystems had also to be re-designed and re-packaged to meet the new system configuration

The night trials of the Astra was carried out successfully on 6 June 2010. Another test was carried out on 7 June 2010. Both were successful. [12]

Further tests of Astra missile carried out on July 7, 2010, at both night and daytime under inclement weather conditions were successful.[13]

India on May 20, 2011, carried out the ballistic flight test of Astra—Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile—from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur."The main purpose of today's trial is to gauge the performance of the motor, propulsion system and the configurations of the vehicle and aero-dynamics evaluation," said a DRDO scientist. The missile, after its final trials, would be integrated with fighter aircraft Su-30 MKI.[14]

DRDO hopes to have the production versions of Astra Mkl-I & II on the three different fighters by 2016. DRDO has got two Su-30MKI aircraft from the IAF which has come with all modifications. Integration of the aircraft avionics with the missile on-board equipment are being carried out using the Sukhoi test rig at IAF's Software Development Institute in Bangalore. This will further undergo rigorous checks during the captive flight trials planned in mid-2012 for qualifying the electronic integrity in flight using a metric missile.

Performance

The maximum range of Astra is 80 km in head-on chase and 20 km in tail chase. The missile could be launched 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 sea-level . The missile can reportedly undertake 40 g turns close to sea level, when attacking a maneuvering target.[15] It will have an active homing range of 25 km. The missile has a pre-fragmented warhead and is fitted with a proximity fuze.[2] A radar fuse already exists for the Astra, but the DRDO is currently working on a new laser fuse. Astra has on-board ECCM capability allowing it to jam radar signals from an enemy surface-to-air battery, ensuring that the missile is not tracked or shot down. The Mark 2 version of Astra will have a maximum range of 150 km and tail chase range of up to 35 km.

See also

Similar missiles

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.hindustantimes.com/IAF-to-procure-long-range-missiles-to-enhance-striking-range/Article1-689983.aspx
  2. ^ a b http://www.kalingatimes.com/odisha_news/news2010/20100704_Astra_missile_likely_to_be_test_fired_next_week.htm
  3. ^ a b http://www.deagel.com/Air-to-Air-Missiles/Astra_a002022001.aspx
  4. ^ Bharat Rakshak on the Astra missile
  5. ^ "Astra missile test fired from Chandipur". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 25 March 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-25.
  6. ^ Astra test fired again
  7. ^ 'Astra' test-fired successfully
  8. ^ Astra ground testing on Sep 11
  9. ^ Astra missile test-fired
  10. ^ Sharma, Ravi (1 November 2009). "Captive flight trials of Astra missile carried out". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  11. ^ "Two Astra missiles flight-tested successfully". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 11 January 2010.
  12. ^ Air-to-air missile Astra successfully test-fired
  13. ^ Astra test-fired for second consecutive day - Hindustan Times
  14. ^ Astra ballistic flight test carried out - IndiaTimes
  15. ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/aam/astra-aam.html
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