Did they test anything as of now? They will need significant help from airforce for that
I dug out another "official" DRDO poster of Astra MK1 for you, which shall allay all your doubts about its weight
Here(the right one):
View attachment 36625
Source:
That puts the Astra Mk1 in the same weight class as the R-77.
From what I gather their products are at electro-mechanical compliance (EMC) testing level. EMC is a series bench tests that need to be cleared before flight trials.
R-77(basic RVV-AE) is 3.6m long, 200mm in diameter and 175kgs weight. Astra MK1 is still 5 kgs lighter and has way more range than it(110kms vs 50-80kms).
Better comparison would be R-77-1(RVV-SD). It has 3.71m length, 200m in diameter and weighs whooping 20kgs more(at 190kgs) vs 170kgs Astra MK1. Both have same claimed ranged of 110kms.
So we've achieved equal range of a far heavier missile in a comparatively lighter/slimmer package(good for high-G & kinematic performance). That in itself makes Astra far more capable and state-of-the-art.
Also AIM-120D3 is substantially heavier than AIM-120A which weighed only 153kgs. AIM-120D3 is a smaller missile than Astra MK1(in-terms of length: 3.6m vs 3.84m) and I have seen its "estimated" weight(real is classified) at anything from 161 to 170kgs.
Chinese PL-12A at 200kgs is also much heavier than Astra MK1 for a claimed 80-100kms range.
I think many won't be happy with me saying this, but "in my opinion" Astra MK1 is the best BVR single-pulse radar guided missile currently available anywhere in the world. Only competition is AIM-120D as it's the ultimate AMRAAM. Rest, I've absolutely no doubt.
The Astra Mk1 would certainly rank among the best in the business. The fact that it can receive third-party guidance updates opens up interesting possibilities for the IAF.
It has a low launch signature which, till date, was the preserve of Western manufacturers like Germany' Diehl, Raytheon and others.
It has also got unspecified ECCM which probably includes some kind of Home on Jam (HoJ) capability. Composite radome too.
I think the benchmark to meet would be the Isreali I-Derby with its software defined seeker, low launch weight (can be fired from wingtip rails) and dual pulse motor, all in a 118 kg frame.
Whether it's the Barak-8 or the Derby, Isreal has perfected low launch weight, long range missile D&D into something of a black art. (The Americans are, of course, the OG). Some of it may be pure marketing but the difference compared to its closest competitors is stark.
It's good that the DRDO has been working with them on MRSAM and other things, we should be able to glean enough info.
We should also make the mid-body fins on Astra and its derivatives (including the Rudram family) foldable for internal carriage.
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Correct
I-Derby ER's competition is not Astra MK1 though as the former is a dual pulse missile. 118kgs is weight of I-Derby(ER would be few kgs more heavy) but its range is much less than Astra MK1. Having a long pole matters in BVR fight.
I-Derby ER has combined solid-state RF seeker with a proximity fuse, thereby cramming more fuel and increased range. But Astra MK2 would easily still have far more range than it.
I-Derby/ER is a physically small missile when compared with Astra series. For its size, Astra's weight is also very good.
Nirbhay Cruise missile sea skimming
After trials completed at Leh, now the guided pinaka trial is to happen at Pokhran this month 21st to 31st. After this trial in PFFR , next is likely in Balasore and later also in 2 other field firing ranges, total 5 set of field trials are done. These works are pretty rigorous esp for the support crews from industries involved. Trials are done in beaten desert tracks as army selects. I remember one mechanic telling me how he lost good 14-15kg weight after such a campaign that lasted well over 2 weeks that time. Kinda shows just how tough the army guys are really.
One Batch to be delivered soon. Still people think that the forces did not order stuff , or integrated with the bird ? 
Bit more on the above helina , may be a small batch being executed.
Not integrated with Prachand yet I think, only with Rudra
Just curious, is it some rv cone ?
Airforce wants to put a powered booster, probably a micro-turbo engine, on top of the TARA REK for HSLD-250:
The TARA kit extends the range of the HSLD-250 to 150-180 km. A powered booster will give it an additional 150+ km range. Launched from the right altitude this modified bomb should have a range around 330-350 km.
This bomb will be the Indian counterpart to the American P-JDAM:
The Americans are expecting to get a range of ~300 miles (480 km) with their 500lb (225 kg) bomb. We are expecting ~330-350 km with a 250 kg bomb.
The P-JDAM is powered by TDI-J85 turbojet engine which produces 200 lbf (890 N) of thrust:
We can use Kalyani KCTI-120. It's a bit more powerful than the TDI-J85 (1177 N), it is also a bit heavier:
This engine is under testing for a year now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mopr_6ErIPk
As for the EOIR seeker, JSR has an agreement with BEL for that. Overall, this looks like a doable project. All components needed exists in the country.
Can't wait to see how the Airforce will screw this up.
This is great news. Imo, the SAAW is another excellent candidate for conversion into a mini cruise missile. It's Israeli cousin - Spice 250- already has a TJ powered version while retaining the same form factor.
Rafael extends SPICE 250 range with new turbojet engine - EDR Magazine
Tel Aviv, February 3, 2021 – At the Aero India 2021 exhibition, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is unveiling a
www.edrmagazine.eu
Helina initial batch related tenders are regularly issued by BDL now
