Astra (missile)

Astra
Astra missile on static display
Type Air-to-air missile
Place of origin India
Production history
Designer DRDO
Manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited
Produced 2017–present
Specifications
Weight 154 kg (340 lb)
Length 3.57 m (11.7 ft)
Diameter 178 mm (7.0 in)
Warhead High-explosive pre-fragmented warhead
Warhead weight 15 kg (33 lb)
Detonation
mechanism
 Radar proximity fuse
Propellant Solid
Operational
range
 80–110 km (50–68 mi) in head-on chase and 20 km (12 mi) in tail chase
Flight ceiling 20 km (66,000 ft)
Speed Mach 4.5
Guidance
system
 Inertial, mid-course update and terminal active radar homing
Launch
platform
 Su-30MKI
References [1][2][3][4]

Astra ("weapon"[5]) is an all weather beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, India. It is the first air-to-air missile developed by India. It features mid-course inertial guidance with terminal active radar homing.[6] Astra is designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets at a distance of 20 km (12 mi) and long-range targets up to a distance of 80 km (50 mi).[7] Astra has been integrated with Indian Air Force's Sukhoi Su-30MKI and will be integrated with Dassault Mirage 2000 and Mikoyan MiG-29 in the future. Limited series production of Astra missiles began in 2017.[1][8]

Development

Preliminary work on Astra had begun by 1990 with the completion of a pre-feasibility study.[9] Astra was revealed to the public for the first time at Aero India 1998.[10] It was described as an elongated Matra Super 530D with a smaller diameter in front of the wings.[11] The project to develop Astra missile was officially sanctioned in 2004 with a budget of ₹955 crore (equivalent to ₹24 billion or US$340 million in 2017).[12] The project was to be led by Defence Research and Development Laboratory with assistance from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India Limited.[13] The initial version of Astra reportedly weighed 300 kg (660 lb) with a range of 25–40 km (16–25 mi) and was planned to be integrated with HAL Tejas. It was tested for the first time in May 2003.[14]

The missile was redesigned around 2006 due to high-altitude control and performance flaws. The initial design of four cruciform short-span long-chord wings were replaced by cropped delta wings placed near the nose. The redesigned missile had an improved propulsion system and was tested for the first time in 2008.[15] The missile was redesigned again in response to problems arising from adverse interactions between aerodynamic control surfaces.[16] The control, guidance and propulsion systems were also reconfigured.[17] After the second redesign, the missile was lighter than the initial version by around 130 kg. It was tested from the ground thrice in December 2012 and captive trials from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI was held in April 2013.[18][16] Astra completed final development trials in September 2017 and was cleared for production at Bharat Dynamics Limited's manufacturing facility at Sangareddy, Telangana for an initial order of 50 missiles.[19][1]

Future development

DRDO plans to develop a Mk 2 variant of Astra with a larger engagement envelope and a range of 100 km. Multiple different propulsion systems have been considered, including liquid-fuel ramjet, solid-fuel ramjet and dual pulse solid rocket motor.[7][15]

Description

Astra, fired by a Sukhoi Su-30MKI

Astra's design resembles Matra Super 530D and Vympel R-77 in a few aspects.[7] Astra is 3.6 m (12 ft) long with a diameter of 178 mm (7.0 in) and weighs 154 kg (340 lb). It uses an inertial guidance system driven by a fibre optic gyroscope with terminal guidance through active radar homing. It is capable of receiving course corrections through a secure data link. The missile's active radar seeker with a homing range of 25 km (16 mi) is supplied by Agat and will be manufactured locally.[3] The seeker can lock-on to a target with a radar cross section of 5 square metres from a distance of 15 km and enables off-boresight launches up to an angle of 45°.[20]

Astra is equipped with electronic counter-countermeasures to allow operation even during enemy attempts to jam the seeker using electronic countermeasures. It carries a 15 kg (33 lb) high-explosive pre-fragmented warhead activated by a proximity fuse.[3] Astra uses a smokeless solid fuelled motor that can propel the missile to a speed of Mach 4.5 and allows operation from a maximum altitude of 20 km (66,000 ft).[4][3] The maximum range of Astra is 110 km (68 mi) in head-on chase mode and 20 km (12 mi) in tail chase mode.[19] The maximum range is achieved when the missile launched from an altitude of 15 km (49,000 ft). When it is fired from an altitude of 8 km (26,000 ft), the range drops to 44 km (27 mi) and when it is launched from sea level, the range drops further to 21 km (13 mi).[21] Astra's low aspect-ratio wings allow it to engage manoeuvring targets up to a range of 80 km (50 mi) in head-on chase mode and 20 km (12 mi) in tail chase mode.[3] It can be launched in both autonomous and buddy mode operation and can achieve lock-on on its target before or after it is launched.[22]

Trials

The initial version of Astra being tested from a ground-based launcher.

Astra went through a series of ground tests from 2003 till 2012 in three different configurations to validate the airframe, propulsion system, control system, dual mode guidance and night firing capability. Carriage trials were carried out in 2009 and 2013 on a Sukhoi Su-30MKI.[23][24] In May 2014, it was fired for the first time in air.[25] On 18 March 2016, the missile was fired in public during Iron Fist 2016 exercise from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI.[26] During a series of seven tests in September 2017, Astra was tested twice with an indigenous seeker.[27]

Date Type of test Result Comments Ref.
9 May 2003 Ground test Success First test [28]
11 May 2003 Ground test Success [29]
12 May 2003 Ground test Success [30]
25 March 2007 Ground test Success Propulsion test [30][31]
26 March 2007 Ground test Success Propulsion test [32]
29 March 2007 Ground test Success Control system test [32]
13 September 2008 Ground test Success Avionics and guidance test [33]
8 May 2009 Ground test Success Dual-mode guidance test [34]
11 January 2010 Ground test Success Tested twice [35]
6 July 2010 Ground test Success Night trial [36]
7 July 2010 Ground test Success [37]
20 May 2011 Ground test Failure Propulsion and aerodynamics test [38][39]
21 May 2011 Ground test Failure Test claimed as successful by DRDO [40][39]
21 December 2012 Ground test Success Testing of second redesign [18][21]
22 December 2012 Ground test Success [41]
24 December 2012 Ground test Success [18]
4 May 2014 Flight test Success First airborne test firing [25]
9 June 2014 Flight test Success [42]
20 June 2014 Flight test Success Fired at a simulated target 65 km away [42]
16 March 2015 Ground test Failure Failed to launch [39]
19 March 2015 Flight test Success Tested against a live target [43]
20 May 2015 Flight test Success Tested twice for high-g release [44]
21 May 2015 Flight test Success [4]
December 2015 Ground test Success ECCM test [45][46]
25 December 2015 Flight test Success ECCM test [45][46]
7 December 2016 Flight test Failure Missile lost velocity and veered off the intended trajectory [47]
11–14 September 2017 Flight test Success Tested seven times [48]
26 September – 3 October 2018 Flight test Success Pre-induction tests, tested six times [49][50]

See also

Similar missiles

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bedi, Rahul (6 September 2017). "BDL begins initial build of Astra Mk1 BVRAAM". IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets. Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017.
  2. ↑ M. Somasekhar (27 August 2017). "Jaitley hands over long-range surface-to-air missile to Navy". The Hindu Business Line. The Hindu Group.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Majumdar, Sayan (September–October 2015). "Astra – The Spear for Air Dominance" (PDF). Vayu Aerospace and Defence Review. No. 5. Society for Aerospace Studies. pp. 56–57.
  4. 1 2 3 Y. Mallikarjun (22 May 2015). "Astra missile successfully tested again". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0971-751X.
  5. ↑ "India tests air-to-air Astra missile again". Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 26 March 2007 – via NewsBank.
  6. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (5 May 2014). "First successful Astra test gives boost to air missile technology". The Times of India. The Times Group.
  7. 1 2 3 Udoshi, Rahul (6 May 2014). "India successfully tests home-grown Astra AAM". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014.
  8. ↑ Rout, Hemant Kumar (31 August 2017). "Indian Air Force likely to start trials of Astra missile from today". The New Indian Express. Express Publications (Madurai).
  9. ↑ Beech, Eric (2–8 May 1990). "India researches air-to-air missile" (PDF). Flight International. Vol. 137 no. 4214. Reed Business Information. p. 15. ISSN 0015-3710.
  10. ↑ Gethin, Howard (16–22 December 1998). "India unveils Astra but keeps wraps on LCA" (PDF). Flight International. Reed Business Information.
  11. ↑ "Astra test may be delayed". The Times of India. The Times Group. 6 April 2002.
  12. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (6 November 2015). "10 years in making, Astra advanced air combat missile may be ready in 2016". The Times of India. The Times Group.
  13. ↑ M. Somasekhar (17 June 2004). "DRDL to develop Astra missile". The Hindu Business Line. The Hindu Group.
  14. ↑ T. S. Subramanian (24 May – 6 June 2003). "An Astra in the armoury". Frontline. Vol. 20 no. 11. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0970-1710.
  15. 1 2 Hewson, Robert (April 2011). "Astra redesign paves way for ramjet AAM". Jane's Missiles and Rockets. Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. 15 (4): 3.
  16. 1 2 Pandit, Rajat (1 July 2013). "Long-delayed Astra missile will finally be test-fired". The Times of India. The Times Group.
  17. ↑ Richardson, Doug (1 February 2017). "Redesigned Astra completes three ground launches". IHS Jane's Missiles and Rockets. Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. 17 (2).
  18. 1 2 3 "Third Astra launch too a success". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. 25 December 2012.
  19. 1 2 M. Somasekhar (18 September 2017). "After successful development trials, Astra missile ready for production". The Hindu Business Line. The Hindu Group.
  20. ↑ Richardson, Doug (1 April 2017). "India's Astra uses an AGAT seeker". IHS Jane's Missiles and Rockets. Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. 17 (4).
  21. 1 2 Y. Mallikarjun; T. S. Subramanian (22 December 2012). "Astra missile test-fired successfully". The Hindu. The Hindu Group.
  22. ↑ Jha, Saurav (26 October 2013). "DRDO's international coming out party in Seoul features new Pragati tactical missile system". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
  23. ↑ Tur, Jatinder Kaur (6 December 2013). "'Astra' carriage trials with Su-30 begins". The Times of India. The Times Group.
  24. ↑ Sharma, Ravi (1 November 2009). "Captive flight trials of Astra missile carried out". The Hindu. Chennai, India: The Hindu Group.
  25. 1 2 Y. Mallikarjun (4 May 2014). "Astra successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0971-751X.
  26. ↑ Chopra, Anil (19 March 2016). "Iron Fist 2016: Indian Air Force's greatest show of air power". Daily News and Analysis.
  27. ↑ "Forty first report of the Standing Committee on Defence (2017–2018)" (PDF). New Delhi: Lok Sabha Secretariat. March 2018. p. 59.
  28. ↑ "Missile Astra successfully test-fired". The Times of India. The Times Group. Press Trust of India. 9 May 2003.
  29. ↑ "Astra successfully test-fired for second time". Rediff.com. Press Trust of India. 11 May 2003.
  30. 1 2 "Astra missile test fired from Chandipur". The Hindu. Chennai, India: The Hindu Group. Press Trust of India. 25 March 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
  31. ↑ "`Astra' test-fired". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. Press Trust of India. 26 March 2007. ISSN 0971-751X.
  32. 1 2 "Astra's third flight successful". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. 30 March 2007. ISSN 0971-751X.
  33. ↑ Y. Mallikarjun (14 September 2008). "Air-to-air missile Astra test-fired successfully". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0971-751X.
  34. ↑ Y. Mallikarjun (8 May 2009). "Astra missile test-fired". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0971-751X.
  35. ↑ Y. Mallikarjun (11 January 2010). "Two Astra missiles flight-tested successfully". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0971-751X.
  36. ↑ "Air-to-air missile Astra successfully test-fired". NDTV. Press Trust of India. 6 July 2010.
  37. ↑ "Astra test-fired for second consecutive day". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. Press Trust of India. 7 July 2010. ISSN 0971-751X.
  38. ↑ "Astra ballistic flight test carried out". The Times of India. The Times Group. Press Trust of India. 20 May 2011.
  39. 1 2 3 "Astra Missile Test-fire Fails". The New Indian Express. Express Publications (Madurai). 17 March 2015.
  40. ↑ "Astra successfully test-fired for second day". The Times of India. The Times Group. Press Trust of India. 21 May 2011.
  41. ↑ "Astra bang on target again". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. 23 December 2012.
  42. 1 2 Y. Mallikarjun (21 June 2014). "Another Astra test-fire successful". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0971-751X.
  43. ↑ "India Successfully Test Fires Air-to-Air Astra Missile". The New Indian Express. Express Publications (Madurai). 19 March 2015.
  44. ↑ Y. Mallikarjun (20 May 2015). "Astra missile successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0971-751X.
  45. 1 2 Y. Mallikarjun (26 December 2015). "Astra missile proves anti-jamming capability". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. ISSN 0971-751X.
  46. 1 2 Nune, Shravan (28 December 2015). "Indigenously developed Air-to-Air missile Astra successfully test fired". Jagran Josh.
  47. ↑ Rout, Hemant Kumar (8 December 2016). "'Astra' goes up in smoke". The New Indian Express. Express Publications (Madurai).
  48. ↑ "Astra missile's final development flight trials successful". The Economic Times. The Times Group. Press Trust of India. 15 September 2017.
  49. ↑ "Indigenously developed air-to-air missile Astra successfully test fired". Hindustan Times. HT Media. Press Trust of India. 26 September 2018.
  50. ↑ "Indigenously developed air-to-air missile Astra successfully test fired". Financial Express. Indian Express Limited. 3 October 2018.

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