Astra air-to-air missile makes first flight
The Times of India: The captive flight trials of Astra — India’s first indigenously-developed beyond visual range air-to-air missile — were successfully carried out on Sukhoi-30MKI combat aircraft at the Air Force Station here last week. The trials, which are still under way at the Lohegaon air base, are the first since the missile development programme began in 2004. The live firing of the missile from the aircraft is expected to happen next year.
Parameters such as aeromechanical and structural compatibility between the missile and the aircraft, vibration, strain and high-speed manoeuvring are being tested during the trials. Around 15 sorties have been planned. The aircraft carries the missile on its wing.
The Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) is spearheading the missile development programme. Various other defence labs, air force units, the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) also have roles to play in the programme.
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