Astra BVRAAM

[Chinmoy]

“It was a user trial of the missile by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The missile lost velocity within a few seconds after the firing, then it slipped from intended trajectory and dropped down rapidly. It latter exploded on the sea beach causing huge noise and smoke,” a source said.

It lost velocity and dipped. Probably rocket engine got faulty. But look at the level of journalism in this context.

The anti-aircraft missile, which is claimed as more advanced than the similar class of missiles of the US, Russia and France, also had failed to deliver the desired results during its developmental trials in May, 2011.

They were quick to point out 5 year old failure, but there is no where mention of subsequent success.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2016/dec/08/astra-goes-up-in-smoke-1546815.html

 

[indiatester]

It lost velocity and dipped. Probably rocket engine got faulty. But look at the level of journalism in this context.



They were quick to point out 5 year old failure, but there is no where mention of subsequent success.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2016/dec/08/astra-goes-up-in-smoke-1546815.html

The fault ofcourse has to be isolated and fixed so that it does not happen when the missile is supposed to its task.
I wonder when the analysis is done.

 

[Chinmoy]

The fault ofcourse has to be isolated and fixed so that it does not happen when the missile is supposed to its task.
I wonder when the analysis is done.

Analysis has not yet been done perhaps. Moreover it would be impossible to salvage the wreck. But this was not a development trial, its a user trial. Means it has the same components as it has during its successful developmental trial.
It could be due to failure of many sub components. Most probably there would be another user trial soon or else there would be some controlled trials to find out the issue.

 

[indiatester]

Analysis has not yet been done perhaps. Moreover it would be impossible to salvage the wreck. But this was not a development trial, its a user trial. Means it has the same components as it has during its successful developmental trial.
It could be due to failure of many sub components. Most probably there would be another user trial soon or else there would be some controlled trials to find out the issue.

It will be very unlikely that the diagnostics are not stored for later analysis. It would be a criminal waste if the user trials did not ensure that such data was collected.
I understand what you are trying to say however.

 

[kurup]

Can anybody with sources inside DRDO confirm that the Astra test was indeed a failure ??

Because there is only one source showing this news .... the newindianexpress .... which is not a reliable source .

 

[Chinmoy]

Yeah... Till now only NIE and Sputnik reported it and we all know how reliable they are. Any how I think it is true as neither DRDO nor IAF has issued any report yet. Moreover I think the NOTAM issued recently is for another Astra test.
We might know the details soon.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Another test possibly next week, on December 16th.

 

[Prashant12]

IAF lines up series of sleek ‘Astra’ trials from tomorrow

BHUBANESWAR: Indian Air Force (IAF) is slated to carry out a series of captive trials of indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile ‘Astra’ from a fighter aircraft from Monday.
Defence sources said the missile will be fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft targeting a Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) at different altitudes from different angles over the Bay of Bengal to reconfirm the killing efficiency of the all-terrain and all-weather weapon system.

The anti-aircraft missile, considered one of the best of its kind in the world, will be tested for three days. Altogether, three rounds of the missile have reportedly been planned to be test-fired.
The focus is on to achieve success during all the three trials this time as a coordinated air exercise on Wednesday reportedly ended in failure as the missile nose-dived after it was fired from the aircraft and exploded on the sea beach causing enormous noise.

The missile was first tested from the aircraft at a naval range in the western sector on May 4, 2014. ‘Astra,’ which possesses high single shot kill probability making it highly reliable, is the first homegrown missile to be fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI.

“The captive trials are aimed at establishing the compatibility of the missile’s electronics with the Su-30MKI avionics. Apart from Sukhoi, the missile can be integrated with Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA),” a defence official said.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/sta...sleek-astra-trials-from-tomorrow-1547910.html

 

[Superdefender]

What was the loud ear-piercing sound after Astra failure? Balasore people woke up that day very frightened.

 

[lcafanboy]

What was the loud ear-piercing sound after Astra failure?

Or maybe till now the missile has been tested and proven against simulated electronic target and the reported failed test was of actual warhead, which is evident of huge explosion and sound. So the missile itself may have been validated and now the validation of warhead maybe taking place. So in fact the failed test may have actually been a successful validation of warhead and thus a success.

 

[Superdefender]

Or maybe till now the missile has been tested and proven against simulated electronic target and the reported failed test was of actual warhead, which is evident of huge explosion and sound. So the missile itself may have been validated and now the validation of warhead maybe taking place. So in fact the failed test may have actually been a successful validation of warhead and thus a success.

Or maybe till now the missile has been tested and proven against simulated electronic target and the reported failed test was of actual warhead, which is evident of huge explosion and sound. So the missile itself may have been validated and now the validation of warhead maybe taking place. So in fact the failed test may have actually been a successful validation of warhead and thus a success.

I also thought so. They might have used actual warhead instead of a dummy one.

 

[tejas warrior]

IAF lines up series of sleek ‘Astra’ trials from tomorrow

BHUBANESWAR: Indian Air Force (IAF) is slated to carry out a series of captive trials of indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile ‘Astra’ from a fighter aircraft from Monday.
Defence sources said the missile will be fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft targeting a Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) at different altitudes from different angles over the Bay of Bengal to reconfirm the killing efficiency of the all-terrain and all-weather weapon system.

The anti-aircraft missile, considered one of the best of its kind in the world, will be tested for three days. Altogether, three rounds of the missile have reportedly been planned to be test-fired.
The focus is on to achieve success during all the three trials this time as a coordinated air exercise on Wednesday reportedly ended in failure as the missile nose-dived after it was fired from the aircraft and exploded on the sea beach causing enormous noise.

The missile was first tested from the aircraft at a naval range in the western sector on May 4, 2014. ‘Astra,’ which possesses high single shot kill probability making it highly reliable, is the first homegrown missile to be fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI.

“The captive trials are aimed at establishing the compatibility of the missile’s electronics with the Su-30MKI avionics. Apart from Sukhoi, the missile can be integrated with Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA),” a defence official said.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/sta...sleek-astra-trials-from-tomorrow-1547910.html

Did these trials happened today ?

 

[indiatester]

Did these trials happened today ?

May be not due to the cyclone activity?

 

[Chinmoy]

I also thought so. They might have used actual warhead instead of a dummy one.

These are user trial. So they would be testing the production variant with full weapon load and range.

 

[tejas warrior]

‘Near-hit’ Astra test successful
By Hemant Kumar Rout | Express News Service | Published: 13th December 2016 04:13 AM |

Last Updated: 13th December 2016 05:46 AM

Beyond visual range air-to-air missile Astra having strike range of 80-km being fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft over Bay of Bengal | Express

BHUBANESWAR: Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday test fired beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile Astra against an actual target in full operational configuration for the first time over Bay of Bengal paving way for its early induction in the armed forces.
Defence sources said two rounds of the missile from Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft were targeting pilot-less target aircraft (PTA) Banshee. The mission was termed ‘successful’ considering the missed-distance calculation, though the missile failed to achieve a direct hit.

‘’The missiles were fired both at high and medium altitude. They passed very close to the target and it can be termed near-hit. The mission was conducted in a war-like scenario and the missile was fired on actual targets. Data collected during the tests are being examined,’’ the sources said.
DRDO officials, however, claimed that the mission was excellent. The tests were conducted to demonstrate the aerodynamic characteristics of the missile. It has demonstrated the repeatability, robustness and endurance capability of Astra weapon system, said a senior official.

Indigenously designed and developed by DRDO, Astra possesses high Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP), making it highly reliable. It is an all-aspect, all-weather missile with active radar terminal guidance, excellent electronic counter-counter measure (ECCM) features, smokeless propulsion and process improved effectiveness in multi-target scenario.
Sources informed that this trial will be followed by two more tests in coming days. Apart from Sukhoi-30 MKI, scientists have started integrating the weapon with homegrown ‘Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

Astra is designed for an 80-km range in head-on mode and 20 km-range in tail-chase mode. The 3.8 metre long missile, which has launch weight of about 154 kg, uses solid-fuel propellant and a 15 kg high-explosive warhead activated by a proximity fuse.
Fitted with a terminal active radar-seeker and an updated mid-course internal guidance system, the missile can locate and track targets. It is difficult to track this missile as its on-board electronic counter-measures jam signals from the enemy radars.
As an anti-aircraft missile, it can be fired after receiving a signal from the far away target through its on-board manoeuvres based on radio frequency.

 

[Pulkit]

Confused.... How is the Near Hit Successful?
I get it that it is not usually a direct hit but the explosion in the vicinity which does the damage.
I also get that bansee is smaller than the fighter aircrafts.
But
It is slow ,,,, less manevourable and no anti missile system.

Can anyone explain why is it called success.....?

‘Near-hit’ Astra test successful
By Hemant Kumar Rout | Express News Service | Published: 13th December 2016 04:13 AM |

Last Updated: 13th December 2016 05:46 AM

Beyond visual range air-to-air missile Astra having strike range of 80-km being fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft over Bay of Bengal | Express

BHUBANESWAR: Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday test fired beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile Astra against an actual target in full operational configuration for the first time over Bay of Bengal paving way for its early induction in the armed forces.
Defence sources said two rounds of the missile from Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft were targeting pilot-less target aircraft (PTA) Banshee. The mission was termed ‘successful’ considering the missed-distance calculation, though the missile failed to achieve a direct hit.

‘’The missiles were fired both at high and medium altitude. They passed very close to the target and it can be termed near-hit. The mission was conducted in a war-like scenario and the missile was fired on actual targets. Data collected during the tests are being examined,’’ the sources said.
DRDO officials, however, claimed that the mission was excellent. The tests were conducted to demonstrate the aerodynamic characteristics of the missile. It has demonstrated the repeatability, robustness and endurance capability of Astra weapon system, said a senior official.

Indigenously designed and developed by DRDO, Astra possesses high Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP), making it highly reliable. It is an all-aspect, all-weather missile with active radar terminal guidance, excellent electronic counter-counter measure (ECCM) features, smokeless propulsion and process improved effectiveness in multi-target scenario.
Sources informed that this trial will be followed by two more tests in coming days. Apart from Sukhoi-30 MKI, scientists have started integrating the weapon with homegrown ‘Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

Astra is designed for an 80-km range in head-on mode and 20 km-range in tail-chase mode. The 3.8 metre long missile, which has launch weight of about 154 kg, uses solid-fuel propellant and a 15 kg high-explosive warhead activated by a proximity fuse.
Fitted with a terminal active radar-seeker and an updated mid-course internal guidance system, the missile can locate and track targets. It is difficult to track this missile as its on-board electronic counter-measures jam signals from the enemy radars.
As an anti-aircraft missile, it can be fired after receiving a signal from the far away target through its on-board manoeuvres based on radio frequency.

 

[Superdefender]

@Pulkit, if a hostile target escapes the direct hit, it can't escape high proximity blast radius.

 

[bole]

@Superdefender , But the test was for direct hit...seems DRDO manipulate the result.

 

[uoftotaku]

@Superdefender , But the test was for direct hit...seems DRDO manipulate the result.

They usually will do "Near-Hit" test in order to be able to re-use the rather expensive target drone which would otherwise be lost.

The missile will get a full Direct Hit test eventually before it is accepted into service. However as it is equipped with a proximity warhead rather than a kinetic one, the missile can achieve lethality with a Near Hit via blast fragmentation

Hope that answers your question

 

[Chinmoy]

Direct hit percentage of any AAM is about 10% only. Its the proximity fuse which does most of the killing. Now if IAF has said that based on missed distance calculation its successful, it means the potency of the missile is no where less and it could achieve kill through proximity blast.
Moreover tests are conducted in real time war scenario. So these tests could be termed as successful. Moreover with the data acquired, we could be able to refine the seeker more and more.