India's Next-Gen Astra Mk-3 BVRAAM to Enhance IAF's Air Combat Capabilities

New Delhi: One of the most advanced and lethal missiles in the arms arsenal of India is the Astra, also known as the Aerial Ranged Battle Engagement Drone System and is manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This is a all-weather, beyond-visual-range air to air missile (BVRAAM) that can hit targets as short as 20 kilometers and as far as 340 kilometers.

With successful tests of Astra Mk1 and Mk2, the DRDO was able to develop the next generation BVRAAM, Astra Mk3, which will further enhance Indian air force's fighting capabilities by incorporating newer technologies and achieving greater engagement ranges.

It has an indigenous active radar seeker and uses inertial mid-course guidance as well as active radar homing for terminal guidance. Besides, it has been integrated with Sukhoi 30 Mki, Mirage 2000, LCA, and MiG 29 fighter jets.

According to new information, the DRDO is developing the successor to Astra Mk3 which is rumored to outperform the previous models. It is said to be in the nascent stages, but the theoretical frameworks are emerging that indicate the new missile will give the Indian Air Force (IAF) one of the best systems available in the world.

DRDO is engaged in developing various Solid Rocket Motors for the missiles range enhancement. Among those is the 3 Pulse Solid Motor. Some developed missiles are equipped with triple-thrust solid rocket motor design due to its multiple thrust phases.

The currently developing missile can be equipped with triple-thrust solid rocket motor given its entire cost can be trimmed as the features allow for low rate motors and might have reasonable pricing while having enhanced features.

The main three phases of thrust production include Boost Phase, Sustain Phase and Final Boost Phase. In addition to programming missiles to reach longer ranges, this design improves range, accuracy, and performance, allowing for better control during turns, changes in speed, and other course of flight modulations.

With regards to this, DRDO is able to produce array of missiles under BVRAAM project, much like what they did with Agni Missiles.

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