Hyderabad: The final development trials of the air-to-air missile Astra, developed by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Organisation, was successfully completed, an official statement said on Friday. Astra is capable of destroying high speed manoeuvring supersonic aerial targets. The tests were carried out between September 11 and 14 over the Bay of Bengal off the Chandipur coast in Odisha.
Astra, a Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (meaning the target is not in view when the missile is launched) has completed seven trials conducted against Pilotless Target Air-craft. 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 parameters and objectives. Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with the warhead and the targets were neutralised,” the statement said.
