India today successfully test fired the indigenous air-to-air anti-aircraft missile 'Astra' that is capable of ducking radar eyes and attacking enemy targets up to 110 kms, Press Trust of India reported. The Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile which can carry a 15-kg warhead for use by the Indian Air Force (IAF) was launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Orissa. The missile is proposed to be integrated with combat fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30 next year after more trials. Astra is a high-end tactical missile capable of engaging and destroying fast-moving aircraft at supersonic speed. The futuristic missile was test-fired from a launcher in the launch pad number 2 of the ITR complex at about 1205 hours. After data analysis of the flight test, another test may be conducted in the next couple of days if needed, defence sources said. "Before being made full operational, the complex missile system would undergo some more trials, though test on its navigation, control, air frame, propulsion and other sub-system have been validated," said a source from the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) at ITR. The single stage, solid fuelled 'Astra' missile "is more advanced in its category than the contemporary BVR missiles and it is capable of engaging and destroying highly manoeuvrable supersonic aerial targets," the source added. DRDO scientists said the missile could intercept a target at supersonic speeds (Mach 1.2 to 1.4). Though the exact range of today's trial has not been disclosed, scientists are working to ensure that 'Astra' performs effectively at different altitudes - one cruising at an altitude of 15 km with 90 to 110 km range, another at an altitude up to 30,000 ft, having a range of 44 km and the third at sea level altitude with a range of 30 km.
