India's state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation has for the first time test-fired its Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, conducting the debut over the Chandipur naval test range off India's eastern coast on 13 September.
Designed to attack targets moving at supersonic speed, the single-stage, solid-fuel weapon has a reported range of up to 100km (54nm) when launched from an altitude of 49,000ft (15,000m). With a launch weight of 160kg (352lb), the 12.4ft-long Astra can carry a 15kg warhead.
The debut firing forms part of a pre-operational test campaign which the DRDO says will validate the missile's airframe, propulsion system and navigation control.
Source: Flight International