HUNTING DOWN ENEMIES BEYOND VISUAL RANGE..

ASTRA:-

 

             

    Photo-Ministry of Defence, Govt. Of India        

              As its name suggest. ASTRA, which means weapon. The name is taken from Indian mythology. Most of the India's air to air missiles were imported from Russia. Namely R-77 were used for aerial warfare. But in late 1990s India started it's research on indigenously developed Astra Beyond Visual Range Air to Air missile (B.V.R.A.A.M.) . It was revealed to public in Aero India 1998. Under D.R.D.O. (Defence Research and Development Organisation), H.A.L. (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) and E.C.I.L. (Electronic Corporation of India Limited) Project was officially sanctioned in 2004 with budget of Rs. 955 Crore.

                In 2006 initial design was changed for enhancing performance and was tested in 2008 but that too was changed till 2013 for correction in flight control surfaces. Several test were conducted from ground and from Sukhoi Su-30MKI between 2012-2017. After which Astra was cleared for production and supposed to use on Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mig-29K, Mirage 2000 and LCA Tejas versions. Though testing is still going on as India is still developing various versions using infrared homing for close combat and using different propulsion system to increase its operational range.

                Range of the missile is 160 km in head on chase and 40 km in tail chase mode. But the range of missile changes due to various reasons. With 15 kg of highly explosive warhead, Maximum operational altitude is 20 km but range is maximum when fired from altitude of 3 Km. Unique feature about Astra is that it has Electronic counter-countermeasures which allows operation even after enemy jam the seeker of the missile. Speed of the missile is 4.7 mach powered by smokeless solid fueled motor (As you can see it in the image). 

                 Concluding, In today's scenario India highly needs B.V.R. because its game of who sees the enemy first. In the last month MOD approved procurement of 247 Astra missile for Indian Air Force and Indian Navy amid border tensions with China. India was also thinking of inducting missile from Python series (I-Derby) developed by Israel. But using indigenous system is best option. As India is using Test, Trace, Treat method for Covid-19 situation, India should apply same for this development projects too. Test the missile, Trace the problem and Treat it with newly developed system because India have to compete with highly advanced missiles like Meteor, A.M.R.A.A.M and PL-12.

If you have any doubt please leave it in comment section I will try to clear it. Till then Ta-Ta.

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande