Tejas, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7 successfully launched the ASTRA Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa on 23 August 2023. The missile release was successfully accomplished from the aircraft at an elevation of about 20,000 feet. All of the test objectives were met and it was a perfect textbook launch.
The test launch was monitored by the test director and scientists from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) together with officials of the Center for Airworthiness and Military Certification (CEMILAC) and the General Directorate of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DG-AQA). The aircraft was also monitored by a Chase Tejas two-seat aircraft.
ASTRA, a state-of-the-art BVR air-to-air missile for engaging and destroying highly maneuverable supersonic airborne targets, is designed and developed by the Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Imarat Research Center (RCI) and other laboratories in the DRDO. The indigenous Astra BVR firing from home made Tejas fighter is an important step towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated ADA, DRDO, CEMILAC, DG-AQA and industry on the successful launch of the missile from Tejas-LCA. He said the launch would significantly improve Tejas’ fighting prowess and reduce reliance on imported weapons.
The Secretary, Department of Defense (R&D) and DRDO Chairman also congratulated the teams involved in the successful launch.
****
ABB/Expert