Article Posted on : - Jun 24, 2014

First test firing of Astra AAM from SU-30MKI combat aircraft on June 9. A PTI photo

NEW DELHI (BNS): For a second time this month, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted successful test firing of the indigenously developed Astra air-to-air missile from the Su-30 supersonic fighter aircraft.

The test was carried out on June 20 during which the Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile Astra was launched from the Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI from a naval range off Goa.

The launch, conducted from over 6 km altitude, was a control and guidance flight which successfully demonstrated the interception of an electronically simulated target at long range, DRDO said in a statement.

The previous test firing of Astra was held on June 9 which demonstrated the aerodynamic features of the missile.

"Both tests have demonstrated the repeatability, robustness and endurance capability of Astra BVR-AAM as a weapon system," the statement said.

Astra is India's first BVR air-to-air missile indigenously designed and developed by DRDO and is an all-weather weapon system.

DRDO also plans to integrate the weapon on its indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.

The research agency plans to conduct many more trials of the missile to clear its launch envelop. The Mark-II variant of the weapon with higher range capability is also being planned to be tested by the end of 2014.