Astra BVRAAM

[Vijyes]

Indian Air Force likely to start trials of Astra missile from today

they are giving news when it allovers........

Yeah, it seems fishy that IAF claims that it tested Astra missile in Kolkata causing Sonic boom while now it says that test is about to start. Really strange.

 

[Prashant12]

BDL begins initial build of Astra Mk1 BVRAAM

India’s state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has inaugurated a special production facility to manufacture an initial production batch of the indigenously-developed Astra Mk1 beyond-visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM). The production batch is intended to begin arming the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI’s multi-role fighters by the year-end.

Launched on 27 August at Sangareddy in southern India, BDL’s ‘dedicated’ unit will initially build just 50 of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-designed all-weather Astra Mk 1.Thereafter, a planned follow-on Astra production order is intended to equip IAF Mirage-2000H and MiG-29 fighter aircraft – and possibly the locally developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft – supplementing the IAF’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Derby BVRAAM system.

http://www.janes.com/article/73576/bdl-begins-initial-build-of-astra-mk1-bvraam

 

[cobra commando]

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[Vijyes]

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Any idea about the hit probability or distance confirmed by these trials?

Thanks

 

[Chinmoy]

Defence sources said the beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile was fired from a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet targeting a pilotless target aircraft (PTA) Banshee. The mission was termed ‘successful’ considering the missed-distance calculation.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/sta...nes-in-balasore-off-odisha-coast-1657198.html

 

[Screambowl]

further reading
.................................

 

[tejas warrior]

Source - BRF

ASTRA

 

[Sidd]

Now IAF would be conducting user trails right?

 

[Vinod DX9]

India's ASTRA beyond visual range air-to-air missile completes development trials with 7 fresh tests from a Su-30 MKI

 

[Amrk]

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170810

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
15-September-2017 17:19 IST
Successful Development Trials of Astra Missile
The final Development Flight Trials of Astra - Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) were successfully conducted over the Bay of Bengal, Off the Coast of Chandipur, Odisha during 11-14 Sep 2017. A total of seven trials were conducted against Pilotless Target Aircrafts (PTA) successfully.

The missions included engagement of target at very long range, engagement of high manoeuvring target at medium range and multiple launches of missiles in salvo to engage multiple targets. All the sub-systems including the indigenous RF Seeker performed accurately, meeting all the mission parameters and objectives. Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with warhead and the targets were neutralized.

This effort for building a state-of-the-art BVRAAM by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), together with Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed the development phase of the weapon system successfully. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system. Dr S. Venugopal, Programme Director led the launch operations and flight trials along with the teams from multiple organisations.

The Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated DRDO, IAF Air Force, Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) and industries for the successful trials of ASRTA Missile. Chairman DRDO and Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) Dr S. Christopher congratulated the ‘Team Astra” (DRDO, IAF, DPSU & Industries) for developing and flight testing such a formidable class of weapon system. Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, said the technologies developed under the programme will be the building blocks for development of more variants of Air-to-Air and Surface-to-Air Missiles.

MJPS/Rajib

 

[lcafanboy]

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170810

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
15-September-2017 17:19 IST
Successful Development Trials of Astra Missile
The final Development Flight Trials of Astra - Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) were successfully conducted over the Bay of Bengal, Off the Coast of Chandipur, Odisha during 11-14 Sep 2017. A total of seven trials were conducted against Pilotless Target Aircrafts (PTA) successfully.

The missions included engagement of target at very long range, engagement of high manoeuvring target at medium range and multiple launches of missiles in salvo to engage multiple targets. All the sub-systems including the indigenous RF Seeker performed accurately, meeting all the mission parameters and objectives. Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with warhead and the targets were neutralized.

This effort for building a state-of-the-art BVRAAM by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), together with Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed the development phase of the weapon system successfully. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system. Dr S. Venugopal, Programme Director led the launch operations and flight trials along with the teams from multiple organisations.

The Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated DRDO, IAF Air Force, Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) and industries for the successful trials of ASRTA Missile. Chairman DRDO and Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) Dr S. Christopher congratulated the ‘Team Astra” (DRDO, IAF, DPSU & Industries) for developing and flight testing such a formidable class of weapon system. Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, said the technologies developed under the programme will be the building blocks for development of more variants of Air-to-Air and Surface-to-Air Missiles.

MJPS/Rajib

This is excellent news the missile was having Indian seeker designed by RCI, so,
We now have proven IIR,RF seekers on Nag, Astra, AAD, PDV, QRSAM.

 

[Vijyes]

This is excellent news the missile was having Indian seeker designed by RCI, so,
We now have proven IIR,RF seekers on Nag, Astra, AAD, PDV, QRSAM.

I have read in the news that the success was determined based on the 'missed distance' calculation. If it missed the target, I wouldn't be too optimistic.

 

[ezsasa]

I have read in the news that the success was determined based on the 'missed distance' calculation. If it missed the target, I wouldn't be too optimistic.

You do realise that some AAMs do not employ kinetic kill, they go close to target and warhead blast releases metal splinters taking out engine or cockpit.

 

[Vijyes]

You do realise that some AAMs do not employ kinetic kill, they go close to target and warhead blast releases metal splinters taking out engine or cockpit.

But, isn't astra using the same tech as PDV or AKASH SAM? If so, it should be hit to kill. Else, you are right.

 

[Amrk]

I have read in the news that the success was determined based on the 'missed distance' calculation. If it missed the target, I wouldn't be too optimistic.

Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with warhead and the targets were neutralized.

Only two missiles out of seven had live warheads, they destroyed their targets, as for " missed distance" question planes are more fragile targets compared to missiles. Continuous rod warheads that AAMs employ are actually more lethal in a proximity kill than in a direct kill.

 

[S.Balaji]

All AAM carry both proximity fuse and impact fuse for both types of kills. Astra carries Radar fuse n proximity fuse.In todays test successful missed distance indicates that when the pre fragmented war head was detonated the target vehicle was in the kill zone of the war head.
Going forward Astra would-be equipped with more effective laser proximity fuse.

 

[charlie]

The problem with USA is that they overpay for defence items. Their entire economy is based on defence industrial complex. They don't care much about cost as the industry is fully indigenous and the money only circulates within

I don't think they overpay, normally companies take 35% of profit on the systems they sell, but labour cost is high in US, In US a junior tech makes more in 2 months then what a technician in India makes in a year.

And the US defence industry is much more refined over the years, their industry is quite efficient compared to ours.

For e.g. When I worked my every hour was tracked if I was doing something that makes money for the company or just a non productive time even when I am repairing something, and what time was invested in what project.

They try to keep overhead as much less as possible but that does not mean there were any loop holes, we got our training on time that is required in defence industry and every quarter there is review on employee objectives on how to improve yourself and how to make things more efficient.

 

[Prashant12]

Astra missile a step closer to induction

NEW DELHI: An indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile called Astra moved a step closer towards induction into the Indian Air Force after successfully completing development flight trials over the Bay of Bengal. The final development flight trials of the Astra were conducted off the Coast of Chandipur in Odisha from September 11to 14, according to a ministry of defence issued statement.

“A total of seven trials were conducted against Pilotless Target Aircraft successfully,” reads the statement. The missions included engagement of a target at very long range, a high manoeuvring target at medium range and multiple launches of missiles to engage multiple targets. “All the subsystems including the indigenous RF Seeker performed accurately, meeting the mission parameters and objectives."

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

 

[Prashant12]

Homegrown missile 'Astra' propels India to 6th world power in defence


BHUBANESWAR: India’s quest for a complex air-to-air missile system seems to be over as after 15 years in the making Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), Astra has completed developmental trials.The homegrown missile capable of detecting and destroying highly manoeuvrable targets, moving at a supersonic speed, will soon be inducted in the armed forces making the country sixth nation in the world to have such capability.

Final round flight trials were successfully conducted from Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft by Indian Air Force (IAF) over the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast. Altogether seven missiles were fired against Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) during the last four days.Defence sources said, the missile was fired at very long range and different altitudes. It successfully engaged high manoeuvring targets at medium range while multiple launches of the missile were carried out in salvo mode to engage multiple targets.

All the sub-systems, including the indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker performed accurately, meeting all the mission parameters and objectives. Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with warhead and the targets were neutralised.Director General of Missiles and Strategic Systems Dr G Satheesh Reddy said, state-of-the-art technologies developed under the Astra programme will be the building blocks for development of more variants of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.

Earlier, the IAF was mostly dependent on Russian and Israeli air-to-air systems to meet its battlefield requirements. Once inducted, the all weather and all terrain Astra missile could be the mainstay of the nation’s territorial air defence in its category.

Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), first ground test of the missile was conducted in May 2003. While it was test fired in the night and in inclement weather in June 2010, first trial from a fighter aircraft was carried out in May 2014. The missile was fired against an actual target in 2012 when it destroyed a drone.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system which has a strike range of 20 km to 100 km. Programme Director, Dr S Venugopal led the launch operations and flight trials along with the teams from multiple organisations.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and DRDO Chairman and Secretary of Department of Defence (R&D) Dr S Christopher have congratulated DRDO, IAF, Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) and industries for the successful trials of Astra missile, a formidable class of weapon system.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nat...ia-to-6th-world-power-in-defence-1658008.html

 

[Prashant12]

Another pic from yesterday's #Astra BVRAAM trials with co-pilot (FTE) in focus; missile release captured by an onboard cam on Sukhoi. #IAF

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/909005612750483457