By Anish Singh
New Delhi, Feb 17 (UNI) Make-in-India product Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra will be showcased during the Aero India show which is scheduled to take place from February 20 in Bengaluru.
It is the first air-to-air missile developed by leading R&D organisation DRDO. It will be inducted soon into IAF’s inventory.
On Saturday during the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) firepower demonstration, the Astra missile engaged a manoeuvring target with high precision meeting the mission objectives.
With its supersonic speed, the Missile can destroy enemy’s aircraft easily. It is designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets at a distance of 20 km and long-range targets up to a distance of 80 km.
Currently, it is integrated in frontline fighter jet Sukhoi 30 MKI and will be set in Mirage 2000 and MiG 29 in the future.
The Missile has undergone over 20 developmental trials.
The IAF had successfully conducted test fires of Astra missile in September last year at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore as part of the final development trials.
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is participating in the 12th edition of biennial Aero India exposition in a big way and will be showcasing around 250 systems, technologies, working models and innovations in all formats i.e. indoor, outdoor and live display, the defence ministry said.
More than twenty four laboratories under different technology clusters of DRDO connected to the aerospace & aeronautics are displaying their products and showcasing their achievements.
In the Indoor Pavilion scaled models of LCA-Tejas variants viz., Airforce Mark-1, Medium Weight Fighter, Naval Variants and also Trainer variants will be displayed.
In addition DRDO is also displaying demonstrative Virtual Design, Assembly and servicing of LCA Tejas aircraft virtual reality experience centre which will offer near real life experience to the visitors.
The outdoor display includes the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Limited Series Production version aircraft and Rustom-2 of 1:1 size.
It will also display models of its proven products as well as futuristic Advanced Fighter aircraft with Stealth features at the Prestigious India Pavilion.
Besides Astra, other missiles developed by DRDO including QRSAM, MRSAM, Brahmos, will also be showcased to emphasize the advances made in missile systems.
The model of the upcoming MWF (Medium Weight Fighter) will also be unveiled for the first time.
The highlight of DRDO’s participation at aero show is the aerial display of LCA Tejas by the 45th Squadron and flight display Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C).
The show will conclude on February 24.
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