EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Astra BVRAAM Captive Flight Trials On Su-30MKI

This video was part of a presentation at the Aero India seminar this year. The last slide is a nifty comparison between Astra and other contemporary BVRAAMs.

See also:
Model Astra on Tejas
Astra test-fired

23 thoughts on “EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Astra BVRAAM Captive Flight Trials On Su-30MKI”

  1. It's outrageous to see how DRDO has put older data in the comparison chart.

    The AMRAAM's C5 variant has a range of 105KM (Note that C7 is also in service and the D is under development). Also, the R-77M1 has a range of about 160KMs.

    Just to prove that they have a longer range missile, they are comparing what was made today with something that has been in service since 90s.

    Why not include C5 and M1 in the chart?

  2. Was this only flight trials or a live firing was also performed ??

    BTW if Astra is so advanced than why looking for derby for LCA and MICA for Mirage , go for ASTRA !!

  3. If I know correctly, derby is a stop gap arrangement. The real end result would be astra. There are very few air to air missiles in the world, all of which are mated to the radars made by the respective nations. no one would divulge the source codes of the radar which is essential for successful integration of any weapon system , especially aams where radar link is essential especially for data-link integration. The back-end of the radar of tejas is israeli,i believe

  4. MICA : 45kms !!! What a joke! Ask the IAF about MICA, they will tell you some realistic and reliable figures about this missile.

    How could we trust DRDO if they always cheating on figures…

  5. DRDO should do whatever it takes to complete the development of this version of the Astra for adoption into the services. Every armament developed and produced locally increases India's strength in many ways. Best wishes to DRDO.

  6. Well, this explains why our defense equipment falls short of international standards.

    We always downgrade the capabilities of foreign hardware and then compare.

  7. DRDO must be professional in every way,including a presentation.With the internet,Satellite TV and a more globalised outlook,even the 'general public' is much more aware now.Folks who visit such blogs, professionals, of course would be even more aware of marks,gens, upgrades etc of various weapons.This attitude is often seen in Defence expos. I still find some DRDO/MOD staffers either not aware or appear not interested in queries or astonished as to how one has access to such'intimate'knowledge on DRDO products!I try to explain that there are so many open sources,blogs,sites of information related to Indian defence matters nowadays.I think apart from the really classified and sensitive stuff,DRDO should be open in its approach. This will bring about confidence and more awareness about the workings of the DRDO.

  8. Strong criticism of DRDO..whats new…doesnt matter what they deliver..some people will criticize…i dont understand why they feel the 'need' to do that..but in the modern world..cticizing govt n PSU is the in thing i suppose..
    go ask you boss…if he would like to have a DRDO person in your place…he will gladly do it…for a good fraction of you internet commentators…

    and if one were to have such unbridled criticizm and name calling of pvt comapnies on a blog..pretty sure they would sue the hell out of the blogger!!..but them pvt industry is our god savior… they have developed so many technologies here

  9. Could it be possible that they were showing Missiles which are similar in size/weight/cost etc??
    no…cant be…how could DRDO have developed something good when all the greatest brains are here….

  10. @anon 4:49PM

    Well, if that were the case, why were the ranges doctored?
    They could have stated that the AMRAAM C5 has a range of 105KM, or the R-77 about 90KM.

    They could have very easily put the actual ranges.
    But did they do that?
    No, instead they've highlighted the range.

  11. [Quote]
    go ask you boss…if he would like to have a DRDO person in your place…he will gladly do it…for a good fraction of you internet commentators…
    [Unquote]

    Let's face it, most people join DRDO because they aren't picked up by the private sector.
    Not everyone is like Dr. Abdul Kalam, working for his country.

    I'd rather challenge you to try the other way around, ask the DRDO guys, how many of them will leave DRDO for a private company.

    Take my word, almost all of them would leave.

  12. Anon 1223

    lolz…they would leave..but only for the money.not for the quality of work..the pvt industry can afford to pay better..

    but..ask any pvt company guy who works in engineering R&D (developing a new software app is not R&D)in india they would love to work for DRDO but if only DRDO paid more than what DRDO does currently…ask them whether they respect DRDO's professional competence (when compared to their own)..a good fraction would say yes…

    face it..pvt industry in india is mostly about high volumes than high tech…coz the bottom line for them is profit..and new technology is risky…you could spend a lot to get nothing..better have some1 else come up with it and then pay him a fat sum to get exclusive rights in a country and then sell it in that country for a fatter price!!

    of course you could quote how Benz India division has the latest in automotive technology ..but dont temme that was developed in india!!..

    if not so..why hasnt any pvt company come up with a jet engine …or a turboprop……(and i dont mean manufacturing them!!)

  13. @11:39

    Your missing the main issue here.

    How would you defend the fabrication of missile ranges in the comparison chart?

    I didn't criticize DRDO for the missile's performance, I am criticizing them for coming out with erroneous data to compare with their product.

    At least people at Vympel and Raytheon deserve a level playing field.

  14. Could it be possible that the upgraded version of the missiles were longer/heavier/costlier..i.e a different category??

  15. @3:15

    Well, then why fudge the ranges?

    They could have written the actual ranges and said that they are comparing on the basis of length/weight/cost.

    But they didn't do that.
    Cause they weren't and if you look at the picture carefully, you'll find that the ranges are specifically highlighted and all other missile ranges happen to be less than the Astra's.

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