Context
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has authorized the DRDO and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to produce 200 Astra air-to-air missiles.
About Astra Missile
- A beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
- Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Manufacturer: Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Key Features
- Designed to engage and destroy high-maneuverability, supersonic aerial targets.
- Capable of engaging multiple high-performance targets.
- Considered the best in its class among air-to-air missiles.
About Astra Mk-I Specifications
- Dimensions:
- Length: 3.6 meters
- Diameter: 178 millimeters
- Weight: 154 kilograms
- Range:
- 80 to 110 kilometers in a head-on chase
- Speed:
- Up to Mach 4.5 (nearly hypersonic)
- Guidance System:
- Inertial guidance driven by a fiber optic gyroscope
- Terminal guidance via active radar homing
- Launch Options:
- Lock on Before Launch (LOBL)
- Lock on After Launch (LOAL)
- Operational Flexibility:
- Allows pilot to shoot and scoot for safety post-launch
- Engine Technology: Advanced solid-fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) engine.
- All-Weather Operation: Functional under any weather conditions, day or night.
- Reliability: High overall reliability with a very high Single Shot Kill Probability.
Source:
India Today
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
