The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), responsible for the design and development of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully conducted the test-launch of the indigenous ASTRA, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), from LCA Tejas AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft.
The test-firing, which demonstrated the ability of ASTRA missile to hit a flying target, was conducted off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha. Designed and developed by DRDO, ASTRA missile can engage targets at a distance over 100 km.
The advanced guidance and navigation capabilities of the missile allows it to destroy targets with greater accuracy.
The missile is already inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The successful test-firing is a significant milestone towards the induction of LCA AF MK1A variant, the defence ministry said, adding that the “success is the result of hard work by the integrated team of Scientists, Engineers and Technicians from ADA, DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) along with support from CEMILAC, DG-AQA, IAF & Test range team.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the teams of DRDO, IAF, ADA, and HAL involved in the trial.
