DRDO tests Astra BVRAAM
11 May 2009
Hyderabad: The development tests of the prestigious Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) have resumed with a flight trial of the missile successfully carried out by scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation recently at Balasore, Orissa.
According to DRDO sources, the missile's dual mode guidance was fully proved when it was fired from the ground at an imaginary target.
Astra is intended as a high-end tactical missile and is designed to intercept enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds in head-on mode at a range of 80 km and in tail-chase mode at 20 km.
The missile is intended to be eventually integrated with the IAF's Sukhoi-30, MiG-29 and the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas).