For the third time in two days, India’s beyond visual range air-to-air missile, Astra, was successfully test-fired from Su-30 MKI fighter jet at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha, on Thursday as part of evaluating the missile’s performance in different engagement scenarios.
On Wednesday, two Astra missiles were launched at very low and very high altitudes when the fighter aircraft was performing High-G manoeuvres in two separate trials. Safe separation of the supersonic missile from the aircraft was one of the crucial aspects evaluated during the trials, especially when Su-30MKI was performing High-G manoeuvre.
A Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) missile technologist said that on Thursday the anti-aircraft missile climbed to an altitude of 25 km and went to a very long range during a flight of 150 seconds, after it was released from the aircraft at an altitude of 25 km. He said the weapon system was evaluated under extreme conditions.
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The control and guidance and all other sub-systems were validated at very high altitude and range as the missile zoomed at a speed of 4.5 Mach in the eighth developmental trial held on Thursday.
After a few more pre-induction trials, the supersonic missile is expected to be inducted by the end of next year.
The 3.8 metre tall Astra can carry a warhead weighing 15 kg and intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds in head-on and tail chase modes.
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It possesses high Single Shot Kill Probability and can be launched from different altitudes.
The success of the eight trials showed that the performance of Astra was good and as per expectations, the scientist said.