IAF conducts captive flight trials of indigenous Astra BVR air-to-air missile

India's indigenous missile development programme took another step ahead over the weekend with Indian Air Force test pilots carrying out captive flight trials of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). The Astra is India's first air-to-air missile. 

Astra BVRAAM

Reports state that the trials are being carried out on Su-30MKI combat aircraft from Air Force Station Lohegaon, Pune. The missile has been subjected to supersonic speeds and pressures of 7Gs.

Captive trials are mandatory before any actual firing of the missile takes place from an aircraft.

The fully developed Mark–II active, radar homing Astra will lock-on and shoot down enemy aircraft about 80 km away. Currently under development is a 44-km range Mark-I version.

Part of the ambitious Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) the Astra has been under development at a number of defence laboratories, led by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL).