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A day after a perfect developmental trial of “Astra”, India on Saturday again successfully test-fired its indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, 15 km from here.
The sophisticated missile was test-fired from a launcher in launch pad-2 of the ITR at about 3.34 PM targeting a flying object being supported by a pilot less target air-craft ‘Lakshya’, defence sources said.
“The trial was successful. All mission objectives and parameters were met,” ITR Director MVKV Prasad said.
Today’s successful test-fire was significant as it came a day after a similar trial conducted from the same base yesterday, a defence scientist said.
The single stage, solid fuelled ‘Astra’ missile is more advanced in its category than the contemporary BVR missiles and is capable of engaging and destroying highly manoeuvrable supersonic aerial targets.
The 3.8 metre long missile, having a diameter of 178 mm with an overall launch weight of 160 kg, can carry a warhead containing conventional explosives weighing 15 kg. It can be fitted to any fighter aircraft.
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