'Astra' test-fired successfully

Balasore (Orissa), Sep 13 (PTI) India's indigenously
developed, beyond visual range (B.V.R.) air-to-air missile
'Astra' was Saturday successfully test-fired from the
integrated test range (I.T.R.) at Chandipur in Orissa.

The missile was test-fired from a launcher in the launch
pad number 2 of the I.T.R. complex at about 1205 hours. After
data analysis of the flight test, another test may be
conducted in the next couple of days if needed, defence
sources said.

"Before being made full operational, the complex missile
system would undergo some more trials, though test on its
navigation, control, air frame, propulsion and other
sub-system have been validated," said a source from the
Defence Research Development Organisation (D.R.D.O.) at I.T.R.

The single stage, solid fuelled 'Astra' missile "is more
advanced in its category than the contemporary B.V.R. missiles
and it is capable of engaging and destroying highly
manoeuvrable supersonic aerial targets," the source added.

Describing 'Astra' as futuristic missile, D.R.D.O.
scientists said the weapon could intercept the target at
supersonic speeds (mach 1.2 to 1.4).

Though the exact range of Saturday's trial has not been
disclosed, scientists are working to ensure that 'Astra'
performs 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 last two experimental flight tests of 'Astra' were
conducted from the I.T.R. launch complex at Chandipur on March
25 and 26 last year to study the ballistic performance and
control of the missile at a low altitude and shorter range,
the sources said.

The missile is 3.6 meters long, 7 inches in diameter and
has launch weight of about 154 kg, thus it is the smallest
weapon of the D.R.D.O.'s guided missile development programme
in terms of size and weight. It is capable of carrying 15 kg
warhead.

Initially planned to arm Jaguar, MIG-29 and indigenous
light combat aircraft, Tejas, D.R.D.O. officials are now
concentrating that after user's trial, the sleek missile would
be integrated with Indian Air Force's front line fighter
aircraft like Sukhoi-30 MKIs and Mirage-2000.

'Astra' missile project is guided and led by the
Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory
(D.R.D.L.) under the D.R.D.O.

The prototype of the missile was first tested between May
9 and 12, 2003 from the I.T.R. at Chandipur.