ASTRA BVRAAM

ASTRA BVRAAM
© Arun Vishwakarma
Astra is a state-of-the-art beyond visual range air to air missile (BVRAAM) designed for a range of over 80 km in head-on mode [1] and 20 km in tail-chase mode. It can engage highly manoeuvring targets. The Astra missile programme is headed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). The goal of this programme is to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with an indigenously-designed BVRAAM to equip the IAF's Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Su-30MKI and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). A model of the Astra missile was first shown to the public at Aero India '98. On 25 July 2001 in Indian Parliament, then-incumbent Defence Minister Jaswant Singh said that a feasibility study for the Astra has commenced, after the completion of which a project for development of the Astra is planned to be undertaken.

Model of the Astra BVRAAM at Aero India '98. The other 'missile' model in the background is also another DRDO creation --> the medium-range Akash surface-to-air missile.
Development of this missile is likely to take about seven to eight years. The Indian government funded the Rs.1000-crore national project to develop a futuristic BVRAM missile Astra in June 2004 for delivery by 2009. Led by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), this indigenously developed missile is estimated to cost Rs. 3 to 5 crore. The missile is expected to be at the high-end of tactical missiles, and propel India into the exclusive club of countries to possess such missiles. The US has a similar missile but heavier, while Israel also has a BVR missile, but the range is comparatively shorter [2]. The Mirage 2000H has been designated as the first potential platform for the Astra when the weapon enters service at the end of this decade. The Astra was first test fired on 09 May 2003.
Model of the Astra BVRAAM at Aero India '03 with its inner components on display.


The missile is capable of operating in the altitude bracket from sea level to 20 km. It has a single stage smokeless solid fuel rocket with a burn time of 5.4 seconds. It's low drag low aspect ratio wings allows it to reach long range. It uses dual mode guidance i.e. inertial navigation during midcourse and active radar homing in terminal phase. Secure data link allows midcourse re-tasking [3]. On board autopilot and guidance software uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) for accurate guidance and optimized trajectory. The on-board ECCM capability allows it to stay on course in spite of enemy ECM (deception or noise jamming) by target aircraft (self protection jammer or dedicated EW aircraft). The 15 kg high explosive payload is pre-fragmented and proximity fuse armed. The guidance computer aims the shape charge to focus the explosive energy towards the target.

A front side perspective view of a model of the Astra BVRAAM at Aero India '05.

The Astra is intended to have performance characteristics similar to the R-77RVV-AE (AA-12), which currently forms part of the IAF's missile armoury. The missile is 3.8 metres long and is said to be configured like a longer version of the Super 530D, narrower in front of the wings. Astra uses a HTPB solid-fuel propellant and a 15 kg HE (high-explosive) warhead, activated by a proximity fuse. The missile has a maximum speed of Mach 4+ and a maximum altitude of 20 km. The missile is designed to pull a lateral acceleration of 40g in both yaw and pitch planes using 4 fins at the rear as all moveable control surfaces. The missile can also be launched in close combat. Although designed to use a locally developed solid fuel propellant, DRDO is also looking at rocket/ramjet propulsion to provide greater range and enhanced kinematic performance.
A rear side perspective view of a model of the Astra BVRAAM at Aero India '05.


Robert Hewson, editor of Jane's Air Launched Weapons (JALW), in a March 2003 issue of Jane's Defence Weekly (JDW) stated, "The basic Astra design uses a metallic airframe with a long low aspect-ratio wing and a single-stage smokeless rocket motor. After launch, the missile will use a combination of inertial mid-course guidance and/or data-linked targeting updates before it enters its terminal acquisition phase. In a head-on engagement, the Astra will have a maximum range of 80 km. The missile's onboard radio-frequency seeker has been largely designed in India but incorporates a degree of outside assistance, according to DRDO sources. It will have an autonomous homing range of 15 km. The missile's warhead is a pre-fragmented directional unit, fitted with a proximity fuze. A radar fuze already exists for the Astra, but the DRDO is currently working on a new laser fuze.

A cross section diagram of of the Astra BVRAAM , on display at Aero India '05.

Specifications
• Length: 3570 mm• Body Diameter: 178 mm• Wing Span: Not Known• Launch Weight: 154 kg
• Air Launcher Weight: 60 kg• Launch Altitude: Sea level (minimum) to 20 km (maximum).
• Launch Speed: 0.6 to 2.2 Mach.
• Warhead: 15 kg pre-fragmented, high explosive, directional warhead.• Propulsion: One solid rocket motor.• Burn Time: 5.4 seconds.
• Range: 80 km head on, 20 km tail chase.
• Maximum Turning Acceleration: 40 Gs (Yaw & Pitch)
• Fuse: Radar Proximity (laser proximity to follow).• Guidance: Inertial midcourse with data-linked updates, active-radar terminal homing.