Central Idea

• The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has achieved another milestone with the successful test firing of the indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile called Astra.

Indigenous Marvel of Astra Missile

• The Astra missile is an indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
• The missile is intended for use by both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy.

Purpose and Capability

• Astra is designed to engage and eliminate high-speed, agile aerial targets in air combat scenarios.
• It boasts advanced air combat capabilities and can engage multiple high-performance targets simultaneously.

Aircraft Integration

• Astra is integrated with various aircraft platforms, including the Su-30MKI fighter jet, Mirage 2000 multi-role combat fighters, Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA), MiG-29 and MiG-21 Bison fighter jets, and the Indian Navy’s Sea Harrier jet fighter.

Features and Specifications

(A) Design:

• The missile is designed for high agility, accuracy, and reliability, ensuring a high single-shot kill probability (SSKP).
• Astra measures approximately 3.8 meters in length and has a diameter of 178mm.
• It has a launch weight of around 160 kilograms.

(B) Advanced Variants:

• DRDO is working on developing an advanced variant called Astra Mk-II.
• Astra Mk-II is expected to have an extended range of 160 kilometers.

(C) Guidance and Warhead:

• The missile utilizes dual-mode guidance for accurate target tracking.
• It is equipped with a high-explosive pre-fragmented warhead for effective engagement against threats.

(D) Propulsion and Performance:

• The Astra missile is powered by a smokeless, single-stage, solid fuel propulsion system.
• It is capable of achieving launch speeds ranging from Mach 0.4 to Mach 2.

(E) Launch Range and Agility:

• The missile’s launch range is approximately 80 kilometers.
• It can execute maneuvers with up to 40 g turns near sea level while engaging moving targets.

Collaborative Development

• Astra Mk-III, a variant of the missile, is being developed in collaboration with Russia.
• This variant employs advanced solid fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) engine technology.

Back2Basics: LCA Tejas

• Origin: The LCA Tejas is an indigenous light combat aircraft developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India.
• Purpose: LCA Tejas is designed as a multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy.
• Variants: There are two main variants of LCA Tejas:

1. LCA Tejas Mark-I: Developed for the Indian Air Force, it is a single-seat, single-engine aircraft.
2. LCA Tejas Mark-I Navy: Designed for the Indian Navy, it is adapted for carrier operations with features like reinforced landing gear and arrestor hook.

• Design and Features:

1. LCA Tejas features a delta wing design for enhanced maneuverability and stability.
2. The aircraft incorporates advanced avionics, glass cockpit, and digital fly-by-wire controls.
3. It is equipped with modern radar systems, electronic warfare systems, and weapons integration capabilities.

• Powerplant: LCA Tejas is powered by a single engine, the General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine.
• Armament: The aircraft can carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, including missiles, bombs, and rockets.
• Performance:

1. The aircraft has a maximum speed of around Mach 1.8 (1,390 mph or 2,240 km/h).
2. Its operational range is approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles).
3. LCA Tejas has a service ceiling of around 50,000 feet (15,240 meters).

• Induction and Service:

1. The LCA Tejas Mark-I was officially inducted into the Indian Air Force in July 2016.
2. The aircraft has participated in various national and international airshows, showcasing its capabilities.

• Development and Challenges:

1. The development of LCA Tejas faced several challenges, including technical and financial issues, leading to delays.
2. However, the successful development and induction of the aircraft marked a significant achievement for India’s aerospace industry.

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