LCA Tejas Successful Test-Firing of Astra BVR Missile

  • August 24, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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LCA Tejas Successful Test-Firing of Astra BVR Missile

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Defence technology

Context:

  • LCA Tejas successfully test-fired the indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
  • Test conducted off the Goa coast on August 23, 2023.

Test-Firing event:

  • Missile release was executed from the aircraft at an altitude of around 20,000 ft.
  • All test objectives were met.
  • Described as a “perfect textbook launch” by the Defence Ministry.

Contributing Organizations:

  • Test launch supervised by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DG-AQA).

Astra Missile Details:

  • Astra is an indigenous BVR (beyond visual range) air-to-air missile.
  • Designed to engage and destroy highly maneuvering supersonic aerial targets.
  • Developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research Centre Imarat (RCI), and other DRDO laboratories.
  • Aimed at enhancing Tejas’ combat capability and reducing dependence on imported weapons.

LCA Programme Review:

  • Air Force Chief ACM V.R. Chaudhari reviewed the LCA Tejas program in Air Headquarters.
  • All contracted fighter variants of LCA Mk-1 were delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • Contracts: 40 LCA-MK1 (32 single-seat fighters, 8 twin-seat trainers), 83 LCA Mk1A (deliveries starting from Feb 2024).

LCA Tejas: Advanced Features and Key Characteristics

A Versatile Multi-Role Fighter:

  • Classified as a 4.5 generation, all-weather, and multi-role fighter aircraft.
  • Designed for various roles: offensive air support, close combat, ground attack, and ground maritime operations.

Variants in Production and Development:

  1. Single-seater fighter for Air Force.
  2. Single-seater fighter for the Navy.
  3. Twin-seater trainer aircraft for Air Force.
  4. Twin-seater trainer version for Navy.

LCA Mk1A: Advanced Version:

  • Equipped with AESA Radar, EW suite, Digital Map Generator, Smart Multi-function Displays, and more.
  • Features enhance combat effectiveness and situational awareness.

Technical Specifications:

  • Length: 13.2 m, Width: 8.2 m, Height: 4.4 m.
  • Max Takeoff Mass: 13,500 Kgs.
  • Engine: GE F404 -IN20, Thrust: 85KN (afterburner).
  • Max Speed: 1.6 Mach, Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet.
  • No of Hard Points: 09.

Key Characteristics:

  • Compact and Lightweight: Smallest and lightest in its class, with extensive composite structure for reduced weight.
  • Excellent Safety Record: Notable achievement of accident-free flying.
  • Compound Tail-Less Delta: Enhanced weapon-carrying capacity for various ordnances.
  • In-Flight Refueling (IFR): Probe facilitates extended mission range, proven for day and night operations.
  • Open Architecture Mission Computer: Indigenously designed for interoperability, scalability, and portability.
  • Quadruplex Redundant Fly-By-Wire: Fully redundant digital flight control system for pilot ease.
  • AESA Radar: Electronically Scanned Array Radar with a low probability of interception.
  • Versatile Weaponry: 9 hard points, capable of firing diverse weapons including long-range BVR and WVR missiles, bombs, etc., with precision.
LCA Tejas Successful Test-Firing of Astra BVR Missile Science and tech