Latest technology development : ASTRA Missile

Description of Astra Missile

The Astra missile is an active radar homing missile. The missile is equipped with a radar transceiver and the electronics for it, which enables the missile to find its target by itself. It’s designed with the beyond visual range (BVR) concept kept in focus. With the BVR technology the missile can lock-on on its target even 37 km away. In addition to this the missile system is made such that it can track the target mid flight or through transmission. The air to air missile is developed by the DRDO and is capable of hitting targets both at short range (20KM) and long range targets (up to 80 KM).

Specifications:

The 3.8 meter missile is capable of carrying a 15 kg HE (High Explosive) warhead which is activated by a proximity fuse. The missile’s top speed is 4780 km/hr. The missile can be locked on its target before the flight or during the flight. The missile has a range of 110 km and 20 km in tail chase. The MK 2 version of the missile has a maximum range of 150 km and tail chase range of up to 35 km.

Benefits for the Indian Air force

With this beyond visual range missile in arsenal the Indian Air force is equipped to launch missiles, which can evade enemy radar and can detect and fire upon aircrafts moving at supersonic speeds. Currently the missile was launched from the Sukhoi MK 30I, but it is being developed to be fired from HAL Tejas, HAL AMCA and Sukhoi/HAL FGFA thereby increasing the might of the Indian Air force.

This initiative to develop weapons in the Indian subcontinent is a nice initiative as it would provide us an opportunity to build hi class and hi technology systems at our place. Along with this our dependency would be greatly reduced on other countries. The new Government is taking an initiative to reduce the cycle time of approval for such deals and the exports related to the defense seeing the urgency and the need. Also the old fleet of our forces needs a rapid replacement because the neighbors of ours are growing rapidly in their defense system. This concept will have a prolonged effect as it will help in developing technology .Moreover it will produce employment in our country itself and can reduce the chances of brain drain also. As per a survey report major reason of people leaving the country is lack of updating in terms of technology. And some tech savvy people need to work high class technology for their satisfaction.

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About the Author: Shekhar Tanwar is a computer science engineer who is working with a renowned MNC and is a die heart defense aspirant. Guitar is his passion and he is very firm believer of physical fitness. This article is a way to help defense aspirants to present his critical views on the topic, on the forum so that collective exchange of thoughts can take place. (Reviewed and edited by Jayendra Pratap Singh)