DRDO is working on scramjet tech for HCM with good results so, it is quite possible for them to create a scramjet powered hypersonic A2A missile with greater than 500 km range.
This is our longest range A2A stick till date so kudos to DRDO but the naming convention is so confusing (assuming they even have one)
The word 'Astra' in Hindi means a projectile or something that you throw at the enemy -quite fitting for a BVRAAM.
Now they've gone and renamed to it 'Gandiv' which is technically a 'shastra' or weapon meant for close-in hand-to-hand combat.
Imo, we need a standardized classification system like that of US/NATO. This will be important as we aim for more defence exports.
Gandiv is the bow of Arjun. It's not a Shastra but also an Astra. Swords, Mace etc. are typical Shastras.
But yes, renaming Astra 3 as Gandiv is indeed surprising. Anyways, wiping out Vidharmi fighters with Astra 3 or Gandiva hardly makes a difference. So, all is fine as long as it delivers on performance as a VLRAAM.
Just could have gone Vayuastra or some'n.
Gandiv would be a cooler name for a fantasy 140mm ngmbt based on the arjun
It probably means the accuracy part, ie a tir cast from the Gandiva by Arjuna never missed its mark and always found its target. This is the possible reasoning behind the name, that this missile will find its target however far away and obscure that is.
Way too costly and kinda useless in bvr fighting. Plus a scramjet is kinda big, the one we are making the core combustor part is 3 meter long itself. then you add fuel tank and all that (even without considering a lot of other aspects ) . So you will eventually end up with this air to air missile weighing several tons , in current form.
maybe in future when the tech is mature and huge progress has been made in material side.
Germany's Diehl has shown a concept design for a hypersonic WVRAAM as a follow-on to IRIS-T. Afaik propulsion details haven't been released but expect some innovations in the A2A arena soon enough.
The 120mm gun on Arjun MBT is called Gandiv too, iirc. We're clearly running out of names for our weapon systems or so it seems. For example, Rudra for ALH WSI, Rudram for NGARM family, etc.
Though Gandiv could be the forerunner of a new class of VLRAAM/SAM (the booster-mounted test article opens up some interesting possibilities) in which case a new name would make sense.
The ER-ASR rocket was test fired from a modified Pinaka launcher:
This is probably where the idea for a naval Pinaka originated.
This is probably where the idea for a naval Pinaka originated.
Yep most likely, though I do not see what is the usp of this precisely.
If the launcher has a stealth enough cupola, I am sold. As long as it is long as it is stealthier than an RBU-6000.
I have been wondering if the naval Pinaka is based on the ERR 122, we could probably get our own RIM-116 equivalent. A single launcher doing both short range rocket attack & short-range point defence would be awesome.
DRDO's STAR missile will be used to demonstrate DRDO's LFRJ engine:
Before the STAR missile, DRDO wanted to use their LFRJ engine for a AAM shaped missile (size is unknown). The form factor is strikingly similar to the SFDR/Gandiva missile. Like the STAR, this missile also has 4 intakes. 2 intakes are bundled:
The STAR is supposed to be a target missile. I wonder if DRDO intends to build this missile. No updates on the STAR or LFRJ for some time. Hope we get to see a test fire soon.
Before the STAR missile, DRDO wanted to use their LFRJ engine for a AAM shaped missile (size is unknown). The form factor is strikingly similar to the SFDR/Gandiva missile. Like the STAR, this missile also has 4 intakes. 2 intakes are bundled:
The STAR is supposed to be a target missile. I wonder if DRDO intends to build this missile. No updates on the STAR or LFRJ for some time. Hope we get to see a test fire soon.
Yesterday one tender for mil grade connectors (D sub) was for STAR. That matches with the article integration work going on currently.
MIL GRADE CONNECTORS/DRDL/2024-25/STAR/25STA205/2025_DRDO_700116_1
Since test scheduling is packed plus hampered by wildlife events, I guess it will be sometime before we see one. They also do not publicise the maiden one these days/first article is considered internal demo perhaps.
MIL GRADE CONNECTORS/DRDL/2024-25/STAR/25STA205/2025_DRDO_700116_1
Since test scheduling is packed plus hampered by wildlife events, I guess it will be sometime before we see one. They also do not publicise the maiden one these days/first article is considered internal demo perhaps.
30 ton lifting belt for integrated article, wonder what and when will it be test fired? Possibly for something in ~ 20 ton range ?
