Astra (missile): Difference between revisions

{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}

| name = Astra

| image = File:Astrabvraam.png

| image_size = 300

| alt =  

| caption = Astra Mk.1

| type = [[Beyond-visual-range missile]]

| origin = India

<!-- Type selection -->| is_missile = yes

| service = {{start date|2019}}–present

| used_by = *[[Indian Air Force]]

| wars = <!-- Production history -->

| designer = [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]

| design_date =  

| manufacturer = [[Bharat Dynamics Limited]]

| unit_cost = {{INRConvert|7-8|c}}

| production_date = 2017 — Present

| variants = Astra Mk.1, Mk.2, [[Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet |Mk.3]], IR, [[VL-SRSAM]]

|engine = *Astra Mk 1: [[Solid-propellant rocket]]

*Astra Mk.2: [[Dual-thrust]] [[pulsed rocket motor]] (under development)

*Astra Mk.3: [[Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet]] (under development)

<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label =  

| weight = {{cvt|154|kg}}

| length = {{cvt|3.84|m}}

| width =  

| height =  

| diameter = {{cvt|178|mm}}

<!-- Explosive specifications -->| filling = [[High-explosive]] pre-[[Fragmentation (weaponry)|fragmented]] [[HMX]]/[[Polyurethane|PU]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aroor |first1=Shiv |title=How India's ASTRA Air-To-Air Missile Is Quietly Killing It |url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/2018/03/how-indias-astra-air-to-air-missile-is-quietly-killing-it.html |website=Livefist Defence |date=24 March 2018 |access-date=30 August 2020}}</ref>

| filling_weight = {{cvt|15|kg}}

| detonation = [[Radio proximity fuze]]

| yield = <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->

| fuel_capacity =  

| vehicle_range = *Astra Mk.1: {{cvt|110|km}}

*Astra IR: {{cvt|80|km}} (under-development)

*Astra Mk.2: {{cvt|160|km}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pandit |first1=Rajat |title=Astra air combat missile to be soon tested from Tejas fighter |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/astra-air-combat-missile-to-be-soon-tested-from-tejas-fighter/articleshow/79357258.cms |access-date=23 October 2020 |agency=TNN |publisher=Times of India |date=23 October 2020}}</ref> (under-development)

*Astra Mk.3: {{cvt|350|km}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pandit |first1=Rajat |title=Astra air combat missile to be soon tested from Tejas fighter |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/astra-air-combat-missile-to-be-soon-tested-from-tejas-fighter/articleshow/79357258.cms |access-date=23 October 2020 |agency=TNN |publisher=Times of India |date=23 October 2020}}</ref> (under-development)

| speed = [[Mach number|Mach]] 4.5<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhardwaj |first1=Tarun |title=Deadly weapon! IAF successfully test-fires air-to-air missile Astra from Sukhoi-30 combat aircrafts [sic]|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/deadly-weapon-iaf-successfully-test-fires-air-to-air-missile-astra-from-sukhoi-30-combat-aircrafts/1708799/ |access-date=30 August 2020 |publisher=Financial Express |date=17 September 2019}}</ref>

| guidance = '''Mid-course:''' [[Fibre-optic gyroscope|Fibre-optic gyro]] based [[inertial navigation system]] with [[mid-course update]] via [[datalink]]. <br/>'''Terminal:''' [[Active radar homing]]

<!-- Missiles only -->| wingspan =  

| propellant = [[Solid fuel]]

| ceiling = {{cvt|20|km|ft}}

| altitude =  

| accuracy =  

| launch_platform = {{hlist|[[MiG-29|MiG-29UPG]] / [[Mikoyan MiG-29K|MiG-29K]]|[[Su-30MKI]]|[[HAL Tejas|Tejas Mk.1/1A]]|[[HAL Tejas Mk2|LCA Mk.2/MWF]] (Planned)|[[HAL AMCA|AMCA]] (Planned)|[[HAL TEDBF|TEDBF]] (Planned)}}

<!-- For all -->| ref = <ref name="janes-6sep17">{{cite news|last1=Bedi|first1=Rahul|title=BDL begins initial build of Astra Mk1 BVRAAM|url=http://www.janes.com/article/73576/bdl-begins-initial-build-of-astra-mk1-bvraam|work=IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets|publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]]|date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906221508/http://www.janes.com/article/73576/bdl-begins-initial-build-of-astra-mk1-bvraam|archive-date=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=M. Somasekhar|title=Jaitley hands over long-range surface-to-air missile to Navy|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/jaitley-hands-over-longrange-surfacetoair-missile-to-navy/article9832349.ece|work=[[The Hindu Business Line]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|date=27 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="vayu-sep15"/><ref name="thehindu-22may15">{{cite news|title=Astra missile successfully tested again|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/astra-missile-successfully-testfired-again/article7233219.ece|author=Y. Mallikarjun|work=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|date=22 May 2015|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":01">{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1635916|title=DAC approves capital acquisition of various platforms & equipment worth Rs 38,900 crore|publisher=PIB India|access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref>

'''Astra''' ({{Lang-sa|अस्त्र|lit=weapon}}<ref>{{cite news|title=India tests air-to-air Astra missile again|agency=[[Deutsche Presse-Agentur]]|date=26 March 2007|via=[[NewsBank]]}}</ref>) is an Indian all weather [[Beyond Visual Range missile|beyond-visual-range]] [[active radar homing]] [[air-to-air missile]], developed by the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]. It is the first air-to-air missile developed by India. Astra 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 {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} and long-range targets up to a distance of {{convert|110|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="jdw-6may14"/><ref name="thbl-18sep17">{{cite news|author1=M. Somasekhar|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/after-successful-development-trials-astra-missile-ready-for-production/article9864087.ece|title=After successful development trials, Astra missile ready for production|date=18 September 2017|work=[[The Hindu Business Line]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|language=en}}</ref> Astra has been integrated with [[Indian Air Force|Indian Air Force's]] [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI]] and will be integrated with [[Dassault Mirage 2000]], [[HAL Tejas]] and [[Mikoyan MiG-29]] in the future. Limited series production of Astra missiles began in 2017.<ref name="janes-6sep17"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Rout|first1=Hemant Kumar|title=Indian Air Force likely to start trials of Astra missile from today|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/aug/31/indian-air-force-likely-to-start-trials-of-astra-missile-from-today-1650442.html|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|publisher=Express Publications (Madurai)|date=31 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/astra-missile-test-successful-more-power-to-the-iafs-fighter-planes/1328010/|title=Astra Missile Test successful: More power to the IAF's fighter planes|date=2018-09-26|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-20}}</ref>

Astra's older design resembled [[Super 530|Matra Super 530D]] and [[R-77|Vympel R-77]] in a few aspects.<ref name="jdw-6may14">{{cite news|last1=Udoshi|first1=Rahul|title=India successfully tests home-grown Astra AAM |url=http://www.janes.com/article/37521/india-successfully-tests-home-grown-astra-aam |work=[[IHS Jane's Defence Weekly]]|publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]]|date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517051207/http://www.janes.com/article/37521/india-successfully-tests-home-grown-astra-aam|archive-date=17 May 2014}}</ref> Astra is {{convert|3.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} long with a diameter of {{convert|178|mm|in|abbr=on}} and weighs {{convert|154|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. It uses mid-course [[Inertial navigation system|inertial guidance]] driven by [[fibre optic gyroscope]] with [[terminal guidance]] through [[active radar homing]].<ref name="toi-5may14">{{cite news |last1=Pandit |first1=Rajat |title=First successful Astra test gives boost to air missile technology |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/First-successful-Astra-test-gives-boost-to-air-missile-technology/articleshow/34652986.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=5 May 2014}}</ref> It is capable of receiving course corrections through a secure data link. The missile's active radar seeker with a homing range of {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} is supplied by Agat and will be manufactured locally.<ref name="vayu-sep15">{{cite magazine|last1=Majumdar|first1=Sayan|title=Astra – The Spear for Air Dominance|url=http://www.vayuaerospace.in/Issue/vayu-issue-Vayu-Issue-V-Sep-Oct-2015.pdf|magazine=Vayu Aerospace and Defence Review|date=September–October 2015|issue=5|pages=56–57|publisher=Society for Aerospace Studies}}</ref> The seeker can lock-on to a target with a radar cross section of 5 square metres from a distance of 15&nbsp;km and enables off-boresight launches up to an angle of 45°.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Richardson|first1=Doug|title=India's Astra uses an AGAT seeker|journal=IHS Jane's Missiles and Rockets|date=1 April 2017|volume=17|issue=4|publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]]|location=Coulsdon}}</ref> Some tests have been conducted in 2017 and 2018 using an indigenous seeker developed by [[Research Centre Imarat]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reddy |first1=U. Sudhakar |title=Final trials of air-to-air missile Astra successful |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/160917/final-trials-of-air-to-air-missile-astra-successful-1.html |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |date=16 September 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="scd-report41" /><ref name="ht-26sep18">{{cite news |title=Indigenously developed air-to-air missile Astra successfully test fired |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indigenously-developed-air-to-air-missile-astra-successfully-test-fired/story-1KXLnNJoMeaoOVovnlh5KI.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |publisher=[[HT Media]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |date=26 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

Astra is equipped with [[electronic counter-countermeasure]]s to allow operation even during enemy attempts to jam the seeker using [[electronic countermeasure]]s. It carries a {{convert|15|kg|lb|abbr=on}} [[high explosive]] pre-fragmented warhead activated by a [[proximity fuse]].<ref name="vayu-sep15" /> Astra uses a smokeless solid fuelled motor that can propel the missile to a speed of Mach 4.5 and allows operation from a maximum altitude of {{convert|20|km|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="thehindu-22may15" /><ref name="vayu-sep15" /> The maximum range of Astra is {{convert|110|km|mi|abbr=on}} in head-on chase mode and {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} in tail chase mode.<ref name="thbl-18sep17" /> The maximum range is achieved when the missile launched from an altitude of {{convert|15|km|ft|abbr=on}}. When it is fired from an altitude of {{convert|8|km|ft|abbr=on}}, the range drops to {{convert|44|km|mi|abbr=on}} and when it is launched from sea level, the range drops further to {{convert|21|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="thehindu-22dec12">{{cite news|author1=Y. Mallikarjun|author2=T. S. Subramanian|title=Astra missile test-fired successfully|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Astra-missile-test-fired-successfully/article12457627.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|date=22 December 2012|language=en-IN}}</ref> Astra's low [[Aspect ratio (aeronautics)|aspect ratio]] wings allow it to engage manoeuvring targets up to a range of {{convert|90|km|mi|abbr=on}} in head-on chase mode and {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} in tail chase mode.<ref name="vayu-sep15" /> It can be launched in both autonomous and buddy mode operation and can lock on to its target before or [[Lock-on after launch|after]] it is launched.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jha|first=Saurav|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/sauravjha/2976/64918/drdos-international-coming-out-party-in-seoul-features-new-pragati-tactical-missile-system.html|title=DRDO's international coming out party in Seoul features new Pragati tactical missile system|publisher=IBNLive|date=26 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029132054/http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/sauravjha/2976/64918/drdos-international-coming-out-party-in-seoul-features-new-pragati-tactical-missile-system.html|archive-date=29 October 2013}}</ref>

Preliminary work on Astra had begun by 1990 with the completion of a pre-feasibility study.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Beech|first=Eric|date=2–8 May 1990|title=India researches air-to-air missile|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1990/1990%20-%201243.PDF|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|volume=137|issue=4214|page=15|issn=0015-3710|magazine=[[Flight International]]}}</ref> Astra was revealed to the public for the first time at Aero India 1998.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Gethin|first=Howard|date=16–22 December 1998|title=India unveils Astra but keeps wraps on LCA|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1998/1998%20-%203358.PDF|publisher=[[Reed Business Information]]|magazine=[[Flight International]]}}</ref> It was described as an elongated [[Super 530|Matra Super 530D]] with a smaller diameter in front of the wings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Astra-test-may-be-delayed/articleshow/6009784.cms|title=Astra test may be delayed|date=6 April 2002|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref> The project to develop Astra missile was officially sanctioned in 2004 with a budget of {{INRConvert|955|c|year=2004}}.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pandit|first1=Rajat|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/10-years-in-making-Astra-advanced-air-combat-missile-may-be-ready-in-2016/articleshow/49682035.cms|title=10 years in making, Astra advanced air combat missile may be ready in 2016|date=6 November 2015|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref> The project was to be led by [[Defence Research and Development Laboratory]] with assistance from [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]] and [[Electronics Corporation of India Limited]].<ref>{{cite news|author1=M. Somasekhar|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/bline/2004/06/17/stories/2004061702730500.htm|title=DRDL to develop Astra missile|date=17 June 2004|work=[[The Hindu Business Line]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]}}</ref> The initial version of Astra reportedly weighed {{convert|300|kg|lb|abbr=on}} with a range of {{convert|25|–|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} and was planned to be integrated with [[HAL Tejas]]. It was tested for the first time in May 2003.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=T. S. Subramanian|date=24 May – 6 June 2003|title=An Astra in the armoury|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2011/stories/20030606003509800.htm|magazine=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|volume=20|issue=11|issn=0970-1710}}</ref>

The missile was redesigned around 2006 due to control issues and performance deficiencies at high altitude. The initial design of four cruciform [[Wingspan|short-span]] [[Chord (aeronautics)|long-chord]] wings were replaced by [[Delta wing#Design variations|cropped delta]] wings placed near the nose. The redesigned missile had an improved propulsion system and was tested for the first time in 2008.<ref name="jmr-apr11">{{cite journal|last1=Hewson|first1=Robert|date=April 2011|title=Astra redesign paves way for ramjet AAM|journal=Jane's Missiles and Rockets|location=Coulsdon|publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]]|volume=15|issue=4|page=3}}</ref> By 2013, the missile had been redesigned again in response to multiple failures caused by adverse interactions between flight control surfaces.<ref name="toi-1july2013">{{cite news|last1=Pandit|first1=Rajat|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Long-delayed-Astra-missile-will-finally-be-test-fired/articleshow/20852126.cms|title=Long-delayed Astra missile will finally be test-fired|date=1 July 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref> The control, guidance, and propulsion systems were also reconfigured.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Richardson|first1=Doug|date=1 February 2017|title=Redesigned Astra completes three ground launches|journal=IHS Jane's Missiles and Rockets|location=Coulsdon|publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]]|volume=17|issue=2}}</ref> After the second redesign, the missile was lighter than the initial version by around {{cvt|130|kg}}. It was tested from the ground thrice in December 2012 and captive trials from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI were held in April 2013.<ref name="thehindu-25dec12">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/third-astra-launch-too-a-success/article4236048.ece|title=Third Astra launch too a success|date=25 December 2012|work=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="toi-1july2013"/>

 

Astra completed final development trials in September 2017 and was cleared for production at Bharat Dynamics Limited's manufacturing facility in Bhanur, [[Telangana]] for an initial order of 50 missiles. An additional order of 248 missiles were placed for [[Indian Air Force]] and [[Indian Navy]] for use on various platforms like [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI]], [[HAL Tejas]], [[MiG-29]] / [[Mikoyan MiG-29K|MiG-29K]]. Taking the total order number to 298 missiles.<ref name="thbl-18sep17" /><ref name="janes-6sep17"/><ref name=":01"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessworld.in/article/Air-Force-to-get-33-new-fighter-jets-248-indigenous-Astra-missiles/02-07-2020-293377/|title=Air Force to get 33 new fighter jets, 248 indigenous Astra missiles|publisher=BusinessWorld|access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) missile being tested on 8 February 2019.jpg|left|thumb|Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion technology being tested by DRDO from Chandipur, Odisha, on February 8, 2019]]

After the deployment of Astra Mk. 1, several offshoot version are being planned including [[Dogfight|within visual range]]  [[Infrared_homing#Imaging_systems| imaging Infra-red homing]] missile tentatively classified as Astra IR, whereas trials for a longer range version Astra Mk. 2 and a further development called Astra Mk. 3 is being planned.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Pandit |first1=Rajat |title=Astra air combat missile to be soon tested from Tejas fighter |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/astra-air-combat-missile-to-be-soon-tested-from-tejas-fighter/articleshow/79357258.cms |access-date=23 October 2020 |agency=TNN |publisher=Times of India |date=23 October 2020}}</ref>

Astra Mk. 2 will use [[Pulsed rocket motor|dual-pulse solid rocket motor]] for extended reach and better kinematics during the kill phase. The missile will share smokeless propulsion of its predecessor Mk. 1, whilst imbibing newer technologies being implemented in other missile program of [[DRDO]] like [[Barak 8]] and [[Rudram-1]].<ref name="jdw-6may14" /><ref name="jmr-apr11" /> The plan is to extend the range of Mk. 2 version to {{convert|160|km}} rivaling American [[AIM-120 AMRAAM|AMRAAM AIM 120-D]]. Astra Mk. 2 variant will make use of indigenous [[Active radar homing|seeker]] manufactured by [[Bharat Electronics Limited]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/nation/2020/02/14/youngsters-india-defence-technology-satheessh-reddy.html|title=Interview {{!}} Youngsters can power India into a defence technology leader: Dr Satheesh Reddy|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/15-years-on-drdos-supersonic-missile-ready-for-iaf-fighters/articleshow/71355843.cms|title=15 years on, DRDO's supersonic missile ready for IAF fighters|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=29 September 2019|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

 

A future variant Mk. 3 based on [[Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet]] (SFDR) engine is being jointly developed by [[India]] and [[Russia]].<ref name="et">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-tastes-only-partial-success-in-ramjet-test/articleshow/64423073.cms|title=India tastes only partial success in Ramjet test|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=2018-06-02|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=2019-10-11}}</ref>  The missile was first tested on 30 May 2018 and further test was carried out on 8 February 2019.<ref name=pib1>{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=179682|title=Successful Flight Test of SFDR|date=31 May 2018|website=[[Press Information Bureau|Press Information Bureau, Government of India]]|access-date=2019-10-11}}</ref><ref name=pib2>{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=188278|title=Successful Flight Test of SFDR|date=8 February 2019|website=[[Press Information Bureau|Press Information Bureau, Government of India]]|access-date=2019-10-11}}</ref> The aim of the program to develop an indigenous missile rivaling [[PL-15]], [[AIM-260 JATM]] and [[MBDA ]][[Meteor (missile)|Meteor missile]] with a range of {{cvt|350|km}}.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:Maiden launch of VL-SRSAM by DRDO (cropped).jpg|225x225px|thumb|Maiden launch of VL-SRSAM by DRDO from Chandipur, Odisha on February 22, 2021]]

VL-SRSAM supersedes the cancelled [[Maitri (missile)|Maitri missile]] project undertaken jointly by [[MBDA]] and [[DRDO]] based on the work done on [[MICA (missile)|MICA]] and [[Trishul (missile)|Trishul]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rout|first=Hemant Kumar|date=23 February 2021|title=DRDO conducts successful flight test of VL-SRSAM|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/feb/23/drdo-conducts-successful-flight-test-of-vl-srsam-2267748.html|access-date=2021-02-23|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> The missile will arm Indian Navy ships like [[Kamorta-class corvette]] with short range air defense system. The missile use [[Thrust_vectoring#Exhaust_vanes|jet vane based thrust vectoring]] control to give high maneuverability to the missile. The missile maybe guided by [[Central acquisition radar (3D-CAR)|Revathi radar]] which is extensively being used in Indian Navy ship like [[Kamorta-class corvette]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/indian-navys-ship-based-air-defence-missile-contest-begins-today/|title=Indian Navy's Ship-based Air Defence Missile Contest Begins Today|publisher=Livefist|date=17 October 2019}}</ref>

[[Indian Air Force]] may also sport VL-SRSAM in truck-based launcher to supplement its [[Akash (missile)|Akash surface-to-air missile]] as a quick reaction system similar to Norwegian/American [[NASAMS#NASAMS 2|NASAM 2]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/not-keen-on-nasams-ii-iaf-wants-indian-missile-defence/|title=Not Keen On NASAMS-II, IAF Wants Indian Missile Defence|publisher=Livefist|date=20 July 2020}}</ref>

Astra went through a series of ground tests from 2003 till 2012 in three different configurations to validate the airframe, propulsion system, control system, dual mode guidance and night firing capability. Carriage trials were carried out in 2009 and 2013 on Sukhoi Su-30MKI.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tur|first1=Jatinder Kaur|title='Astra' carriage trials with Su-30 begins|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Astra-carriage-trials-with-Su-30-begins/articleshow/26955534.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|date=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/Captive-flight-trials-of-Astra-missile-carried-out/article16889657.ece|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|first=Ravi|last=Sharma|title=Captive flight trials of Astra missile carried out|date=1 November 2009}}</ref> In May 2014, it was fired for the first time in air.<ref name="thehindu-4may14">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Astra-successfully-test-fired-from-Sukhoi-30-MKI/article11626648.ece|title=Astra successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI|author=Y. Mallikarjun|date=4 May 2014|work=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 18 March 2016, the missile was fired in public during Iron Fist 2016 exercise from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chopra|first1=Anil|title=Iron Fist 2016: Indian Air Force's greatest show of air power|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/column-iron-fist-2016-indian-air-force-s-greatest-show-of-air-power-2191190|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=19 March 2016}}</ref> During a series of seven tests in September 2017, Astra was tested twice with an indigenous seeker.<ref name="scd-report41">{{cite web|title=Forty first report of the Standing Committee on Defence (2017–2018)|url=http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_41.pdf|publisher=Lok Sabha Secretariat|location=New Delhi|page=59|date=March 2018}}</ref> During user trials in 2019, Astra hit a target at a distance of {{cvt|90|km}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=IAF, DRDO carry out test firing of Astra air-to-air missile |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/iaf-drdo-carry-out-test-firing-of-astra-air-to-air-missile-119091801432_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=18 September 2019}}</ref>

The flight trials on the indigenous built [[HAL Tejas]] are expected to begin in the first half of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|last=P|first=Rajat|date=November 23, 2020|title=Astra air combat missile to be soontested from Tejas fighter|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/astra-air-combat-missile-to-be-soon-tested-from-tejas-fighter/articleshow/79357258.cms|access-date=2020-12-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

File:Astra BVRAAM successfully test fired from Su-30MKI off the Odisha coast on September 17, 2019.jpg|Su-30 MKI fires an Astra missile