heartwinlion
BANNED
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2009
- Messages
- 178
- Reaction score
- 0
?Astra? tests successful: Scientists
BALASORE: Indian defence scientists have claimed that the recent tests of the countrys first beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAM) 'Astra' have been successful. The missile was test-launched from the integrated test range at Chandipur-on-sea, last week.
This was a secret mission in which two rounds of the 'Astra' missiles were tested from a specially-made ground launcher within two days.
The missiles dual mode guidance has been fully proved when it was fired from the ground at an imaginary target.
The propulsion system, navigation control and airframe were once again proved as they were validated in earlier trials, a scientist said.
After the post-mission analysis, a source said that the tactical missile had covered about 15 km and hit two simulated targets in a span of 40 seconds before dropping into the Bay of Bengal. In September last year, the pre-operational third phase test of 'Astra' was conducted from the same testing range.
'Astra' is a futuristic missile and can intercept the target at super-sonic speeds of Mach 1.2 to 1.4. The anti-aircraft missile, capable of ducking radar eyes and attacking enemy targets up to 100 km, can carry a conventional warhead of 15 kg and is the smallest of the missiles developed by the DRDO.
The 3.6-metre-long missile has a diameter of seven inches with an overall launch weight of 154 kg.
The highly manoeuvrable, single-stage, smoke-less and solid propelled missile 'Astra' is better than similar class of missiles and can be launched from various altitudes.
The scientist maintained that in terms of sheer technology, the 'Astra' missile is more complex than even the nuclear-capable 'Agni' series of strategic ballistic missiles.
Astra is proposed to be integrated with combat fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30, MiG-29 and the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas), next year. However, some more trials might be conducted before the highly sophisticated missile system is made fully operational, he added.
The 'Astra' missile project is guided and led by Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under the DRDO. Its prototype was first tested in May 2003 from the ITR.
BALASORE: Indian defence scientists have claimed that the recent tests of the countrys first beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAM) 'Astra' have been successful. The missile was test-launched from the integrated test range at Chandipur-on-sea, last week.
This was a secret mission in which two rounds of the 'Astra' missiles were tested from a specially-made ground launcher within two days.
The missiles dual mode guidance has been fully proved when it was fired from the ground at an imaginary target.
The propulsion system, navigation control and airframe were once again proved as they were validated in earlier trials, a scientist said.
After the post-mission analysis, a source said that the tactical missile had covered about 15 km and hit two simulated targets in a span of 40 seconds before dropping into the Bay of Bengal. In September last year, the pre-operational third phase test of 'Astra' was conducted from the same testing range.
'Astra' is a futuristic missile and can intercept the target at super-sonic speeds of Mach 1.2 to 1.4. The anti-aircraft missile, capable of ducking radar eyes and attacking enemy targets up to 100 km, can carry a conventional warhead of 15 kg and is the smallest of the missiles developed by the DRDO.
The 3.6-metre-long missile has a diameter of seven inches with an overall launch weight of 154 kg.
The highly manoeuvrable, single-stage, smoke-less and solid propelled missile 'Astra' is better than similar class of missiles and can be launched from various altitudes.
The scientist maintained that in terms of sheer technology, the 'Astra' missile is more complex than even the nuclear-capable 'Agni' series of strategic ballistic missiles.
Astra is proposed to be integrated with combat fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30, MiG-29 and the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas), next year. However, some more trials might be conducted before the highly sophisticated missile system is made fully operational, he added.
The 'Astra' missile project is guided and led by Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under the DRDO. Its prototype was first tested in May 2003 from the ITR.
