Captive Flight Test of ASTRA Missile on Su-30 MKI Aircraft

ASTRA missile integration scheme was successfully designed and developed by Design Electrical Department of AURDC, HAL(ND). It was a major modification on Su-30 MKI aircraft carried out by AURDC for enhancing its operational capabilities. This includes electrical integration, avionics integration and also Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) activities.

Captive Flight Test (CFT) for Astra missile on Su-30 MKI aircraft was planned in three phases. Phase-1, to carry out aero-structural and mechanical integrity for carriage of ASTRA under steady and maneuvering conditions, phase-2, to carry out validation of weapon control system and its electrical and avionic interfaces with ASTRA missile and in phase-3,to check the performance of missile system in transmitting and receiving mode of missile seeker with designated target under different flight conditions and the live firing of the ASTRA missile from Su-30 MKI aircraft.

Significant contributions, exceptional professionalism and support provided by the team of HAL Nasik Division for Integration of India’s first indigenous (Air-to-Air) ASTRA missile on Su-30 MKI aircraft was appreciated by Project Director ASTRA, Shri. PVenugopal, Sc-G, DRDL, Hyderabad.