DRDO's Astra Missile at Aero India 2013: Impressive Capability Claimed

[arp2041]

DRDO for the first time unveiled its Astra air-to-air missile at Aero India 2013

A scale model of the missile was on display at the DRDO pavilion and a full scale mockup of the missile was on display next to a Tejas trainer on static display on the tarmac.

A chart displayed next to the scale mode listed the features of the missiles and the guidance options.

The chart made amazing reading.

The Astra is both a close combat and BVR missile capable of all aspect engagement. It can be launched off-bore up to 45 deg on either side. It's active seeker can lock on the target after launch and can even be used to autonomously search for targets.

The missile's seeker can be slaved to the IRST or the pilot's Helmet Mounted Sight, or even a different aircraft's radar over a data link.

The following is a verbatim listing from the chart.

All Aspect
All Weather
BVR & CCM
Active Radar Terminal Guidance
Excellent ECCM Features
Smokeless Propulsion
Improved Effectiveness in Multi-Target Scenario

Launch Modes
Dual Mode Guidance
Autonomous Mode Guidance
Buddy Mode
Slaving of Seeker with IRST / HMS
Seeker Autonomous Search Mode before Launch
Lock-on Before Launch (LOBL)
Lock on After Launch (LOAL)
Off-Bore_Sight Launch up to 45 deg either side

Considering that this is DRDO's first air-to-air missile, I am suspecting there will be some devil in the detail. For example, what engagement ranges does DRDO consider close combat? The missile's seeker is reportedly Russian so there could be some Russian hard sell clip and paste.

Anyway, if the missile is as good as is being claimed by the DRDO the IAF will be elated and our nation more secure!

DRDO's Astra Missile at Aero India 2013: Impressive Capability Claimed

 

[Water Car Engineer]

DRDO for the first time unveiled its Astra air-to-air missile at Aero India 2013

It's not the first time, but it's been re-designed.

new

old

 

[Backbencher]

Going by the pictures , the newer version looks far more innovative and thinner

 

[kurup]

Going by the pictures , the newer version looks far more innovative and thinner

+ The old design weighed some 300kg while in the new design they have been successfull in reducing it to 154 kg.

Considering that this is DRDO's first air-to-air missile, I am suspecting there will be some devil in the detail. For example, what engagement ranges does DRDO consider close combat? The missile's seeker is reportedly Russian so there could be some Russian hard sell clip and paste.

Anyway, if the missile is as good as is being claimed by the DRDO the IAF will be elated and our nation more secure!

DRDO's Astra Missile at Aero India 2013: Impressive Capability Claimed

Astra is designed for an 80-km range in head-on mode and 20 km-range in tail-chase mode. As an anti-aircraft missile it can be fired after receiving a signal from the far away target through its onboard manoeuvres based on radio frequency.

“One of its versions having 90 to 110 km range can cruise at an altitude of 15 km, another having a range of 44 km can destroy a target at an altitude up to 30,000 ft while the third one with a range of 30 km is capable of hitting the target at sea level altitude,” said a defence scientist.

http://newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article1390559.ece

 

[rockstarIN]

This has to be a good missile given DRDOs track record of success in missile and missile defense programms. IAI/Elta help along with Russians could have made it more lethal.

 

[Ayush]

Good development.

 

[S-DUCT]

WTF is buddy mode?

 

[Skull and Bones]

“One of its versions having 90 to 110 km range can cruise at an altitude of 15 km, another having a range of 44 km can destroy a target at an altitude up to 30,000 ft while the third one with a range of 30 km is capable of hitting the target at sea level altitude,” said a defence scientist.[/I]

India successfully test fires reconfigured 'Astra' missile - The New Indian Express

How idiotic one can get?

All three are the same missiles having different range at different altitude on release. And the variation of range is because of the difference in air density.

 

[1ndy]

WTF is buddy mode?

getting target information from more than one aircraft?

 

[Skull and Bones]

WTF is buddy mode?

Aircraft 1 can lock on to the target, while aircraft 2 can launch the missile. It's acquiring target via data link.

 

[ANPP]

Aircraft 1 can lock on to the target, while aircraft 2 can launch the missile. It's acquiring target via data link.

That will surely create confusion that who actually take the enemy fighter.

 

[S-DUCT]

That will surely create confusion that who actually take the enemy fighter.

Mate,consider this scenario of partnership betwen LCA and su-30mki.LCA has low RCS(.3msq) when it does not carries weapons.
LCA can go close enough to enemy fighter without being detected.Now LCA has locked on hostile fighter,since LCA is not carrying any missile it will transfer date to su-30 and SU-30 will launch missile without being getting detected on enemy radar.

 

[ANPP]

Mate,consider this scenario of partnership betwen LCA and su-30mki.LCA has low RCS(.3msq) when it does not carries weapons.
LCA can go close enough to enemy fighter without being detected.Now LCA has locked on hostile fighter,since LCA is not carrying any missile it will transfer date to su-30 and SU-30 will launch missile without being getting detected on enemy radar.

abe joke kr rha tha yaar.

 

[S-DUCT]

abe joke kr rha tha yaar.

nahi kuch jyada ahi soch raha tha

 

[kurup]

How idiotic one can get?

You are talking about the reporter , right ........

All three are the same missiles having different range at different altitude on release. And the variation of range is because of the difference in air density.

Exactly , everybody else except our 'defence journalists' will understand that .