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Published 21:36 IST, September 18th 2019

Astra Air-to-Air missile: DRDO performs successful third test firing

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the IAF successfully carried out third firing of Astra Beyond Visual Air-to-Air Missile on Wednesday

Reported by: Manjiri Chitre
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have successfully carried out the third firing of Astra Beyond Visual Air-to-Air Missile on Wednesday. According to the sources reports, the missile hit the live aerial target near Odisha, an eastern Indian state on the Bay of Bengal, at the maximum range of approximately 90 km.

IAF on Astra

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully test-fired the first round of 'Astra' air-to-air missile with a range of over 70 km on Tuesday. According to reports, the missile was test-fired 70 kilometres from an airbase in West Bengal. It was test-fired under the guidance of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Indian Air Force, taking it to Twitter, congratulated for the successful firing. More than 50 private and public sector industries have been involved in the development and production of the Astra air-to-air missile. 

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About Astra

According to reports, the Astra is an indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile with a range of over 70 km. It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with 50 other public and private organisations. The missile has a 15 kg high explosive pre-fragmented warhead. It can fly over a target speed of 5,555 kilometers per hour. 

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17:07 IST, September 18th 2019