India's Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) has been ground-tested for the second time after 2008. The missile, being developed by DRDO for use on the LCA Tejas primarily, but also all other fighter aircraft in inventory, met all mission parameters, in its full configuration on December 22 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Odisha. "The missile fired from the ground-based launcher successfully intercepted the target in mid-air. Lakshya, the indigenously developed Pilotless Target Aircraft was used as the target. Astra is a state-of-the-art ‘Beyond the Visual Range’ (BVR) air-to-air missile being developed for the Air Force. Some more tests will be carried out from the ground launchers to generate data, which will be followed by launches from various aerial platforms," said a DRDO statement.

Captive flight trials have been held with the Astra on an IAF Su-30MKI from Bangalore and has checked out fine. It is understood that a first air-to-air firing from an LCA platform will take place towards the end of the next year. Saturday's launch was witnessed by Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, Dr Avinash Chander, Distinguished Scientist & CCR&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems) and other senior scientists.