Air-to-air missile 'Astra' was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Orissa on Monday. The missile was fired from a launcher in the launch pad No. 2 of the ITR complex at about 9.45 am, defence sources said. After thorough data analysis of the flight test, another test is expected to be conducted shortly, they said. "Before being made fully operational, the complex missile system will undergo some more trials, though tests on its navigation, control, air frame, propulsion and other sub-systems have been validated," said a source from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at ITR.The single-stage, solid fuel '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 said. Describing 'Astra' as futuristic missile, DRDO scientists said the weapon could intercept a target at supersonic speeds between mach 1.2 to 1.4 (mach one is equivalent to 1236 kmph).
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