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Astra intercepts target - The New Indian Express
Astra Missile Test- Analysis
India on Monday conducted another trial of its beyond visual range air-to-air missile Astra from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the Odisha coast. This test was significant as it successfully destroyed a highly manoeuvring simulated target.
The missile was launched from a ground launcher at the launching complex-1 of the ITR at about 12.15 pm. It was the third test of the missile in four days. While during Friday trial an electronic target was used, the missile had destroyed a pilotless target aircraft (PTA) on Saturday.
Flying at Mach 3, the missile zeroed in on the target and intercepted it at an altitude of 4 km. The test was aimed at gauging the missiles interception capability and high manoeuvring.
ITR Director MVKV Prasad said the mission was completely successful as the missile intercepted the manoeuvring simulated target. The missile performed well in all three trials. The data generated during the mission has been sent for further analysis, he said.
With the successful trials, the DRDO seems to have overcome the problems encountered during the flight tests last year. The missile had developed technical glitches relating to its control system. In May 2011, ballistic flight test of the missile was carried out from the ITR. Though the main purpose of the trial was to gauge the performance of the motor, propulsion system and the configurations of the missile vehicle besides its aero-dynamics evaluation, the missile had not performed well as expected.
A DRDO scientist said the missiles, which were put to tests this time were completely reconfigured with the new control and guidance systems. The missile has been readied as per the requirement of the IAF. But before the missile is inducted, it has to undergo a couple of more ground trials next year, he said.
Astra is designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying ranges and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range (up to 20 km) and long-range targets (up to 80 km) using alternative propulsion modes.
Astra Missile Test- Analysis
India on Monday conducted another trial of its beyond visual range air-to-air missile Astra from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the Odisha coast. This test was significant as it successfully destroyed a highly manoeuvring simulated target.
The missile was launched from a ground launcher at the launching complex-1 of the ITR at about 12.15 pm. It was the third test of the missile in four days. While during Friday trial an electronic target was used, the missile had destroyed a pilotless target aircraft (PTA) on Saturday.
Flying at Mach 3, the missile zeroed in on the target and intercepted it at an altitude of 4 km. The test was aimed at gauging the missiles interception capability and high manoeuvring.
ITR Director MVKV Prasad said the mission was completely successful as the missile intercepted the manoeuvring simulated target. The missile performed well in all three trials. The data generated during the mission has been sent for further analysis, he said.
With the successful trials, the DRDO seems to have overcome the problems encountered during the flight tests last year. The missile had developed technical glitches relating to its control system. In May 2011, ballistic flight test of the missile was carried out from the ITR. Though the main purpose of the trial was to gauge the performance of the motor, propulsion system and the configurations of the missile vehicle besides its aero-dynamics evaluation, the missile had not performed well as expected.
A DRDO scientist said the missiles, which were put to tests this time were completely reconfigured with the new control and guidance systems. The missile has been readied as per the requirement of the IAF. But before the missile is inducted, it has to undergo a couple of more ground trials next year, he said.
Astra is designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying ranges and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range (up to 20 km) and long-range targets (up to 80 km) using alternative propulsion modes.
