Brahmand NewsPrevious Article
Brahmand NewsNext Article

ASTRA: Air to Air missile


The Astra missile programme is headed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). The goal of this programme is to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with an indigenously-designed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile to equip the IAF’s Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Su-30MKI and the future Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

This indigenous missile is intended to have performance characteristics similar to the R-77RVV-AE (AA-12), which currently forms part of the IAF’s missile armoury.

The missile is 3.8 metres long and is said to be configured like a longer version of the Super 530D, narrower in front of the wings. Astra uses a HTPB solid-fuel propellant and a 15 kg HE (high-explosive) warhead, activated by a proximity fuse. Although designed to use a locally-developed solid fuel propellant, DRDO is also looking at rocket/ramjet propulsion to provide greater range and enhanced kinematic performance.

The missile, which has strike range of 25 to 40 km, uses a terminal active radar-seeker and a mid-course internal guidance system with updates to track targets.

The missile has a maximum speed of Mach 4+ and a maximum altitude of 20 km. The missile can reportedly undertake 40 g turns close to sea level, when attacking a manoeuvring target.

Specifications


First test: May 9, 2003
Length: 3570 mm
Body Diameter: 178 mm
Wing Span: 10 in (254 mm)
Launch Weight: 154 kg.
Warhead: 15 kg pre-fragmented directional.
Fuze: Radar Proximity (laser proximity to follow).
Guidance: Inertial midcourse with data-linked updates, active-radar terminal homing.
Propulsion: Solid rocket motor.
Maximum altitude: 20 km (66,000 ft)
Minimum altitude: sea level
Range: 80 km head on, 15 km tail chase.

-Courtesy:
          Bharat Rakshak
          Global Security website


Other Related News

Come up with ideas, products that become necessity of armed forces: Defence Minister

Defence Minster Rajnath Singh has exhorted the defence industry stakeholders and innovators to come up with new ideas and translate them into products, so that the Armed Forces would feel that they were incomplete without these equipment.

BRAHMOS Missile Systems

Headlines

Brahmand World Defence Update 2024

Brahmand World Defence Update

Image Gallery