DRDO, IAF Successfully Test Astra Missile with Indigenous RF Seeker

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday successfully conducted the flight-test of the ‘Astra’ beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), equipped with an indigenously developed radio frequency (RF) seeker. The test was carried out from a Su-30MKI fighter aircraft off the coast of Odisha.

Astra, designed for engaging aerial targets at long range, has a strike capability exceeding 100 km. It features a state-of-the-art guidance and navigation system, enabling high accuracy and autonomous target engagement.

The indigenous RF seeker, a critical component of active radar-guided missiles, enables the missile to detect, track, and home in on targets using its own emitted radio waves. This “fire-and-forget” capability allows the missile to guide itself after launch without further input from the launch aircraft.

During the trial, two Astra missiles were launched at high-speed unmanned aerial targets under varying conditions of range, target aspect, and launch parameters. Both missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed their targets with precision.

“All subsystems, including the indigenous RF seeker, performed as expected,” the Ministry of Defence stated, adding that the performance was validated through flight data collected by range tracking instruments at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. “These successful tests reaffirm the accuracy and reliability of the Astra weapon system equipped with the indigenous seeker.”

The development of the Astra missile system involved contributions from multiple DRDO laboratories and over 50 public and private sector companies, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Team BharatShakti