ASTRA BVRAAM

[Indx TechStyle]

With the emergence of next generation AAM missiles concepts from the US and China, coupled with the proliferation of 5th gen platforms in our neighborhood and the growing significance of Loyal Wingman in future battles, highlights the need for us to be future ready and start developing the next generation of AAMs or risk falling behind."

Here is my vision for the future of BVR missiles in IAF

Astra Mk 1

Max Range	80-110 km
Technology Used	Single Pulse Rocket Motor
Target	Fighter Jets at Double Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can be carried in IWB and is highly Maneuverable
Warhead	Small 15kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	AMRAAM
My reasons	Is comparatively Cheap and provides an competitive edge over most of the current PAF inventory, would be useful as a standard BVR for secondary fighters like LCA

Astra Mk 2

Max Range	140-160 km
Technology Used	Dual Pulse Rocket Motor
Target	Fighter Jets at Long Double Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can be carried in IWB and is highly Maneuverable
Warhead	Small 20-25 kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	PL 15
My reasons	Totally Dominates Current and Future PAF inventory and can provide a somewhat competitive edge over PLAAF inventory, would be useful as a standard BVR for frontline fighters

Astra Mk 3
View attachment 10718

Max Range	250 - 300 km
Technology Used	Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet
Target	Fighter Jets at Triple Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can be carried in IWB and is highly Maneuverable
Warhead	Small 20- 25 kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	Meteor
My reasons	Even though it's expensive, it totally Dominates Current and Future PAF inventory and can provide an competitive edge over PLAAF inventory, would be useful as a special use BVR for frontline fighters

Astra Mk 4
View attachment 10710

Max Range	40-60 km (Max 80 km)
Technology Used	Relatively Single Pulse Rocket Motor
Target	Loyal Wingmen Drones at Double Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Half the size of current BVR's and can be carried in IWB of Smaller Loyal Wingman like CATS Warrior
Warhead	Hit to kill (similar to PAC-3)
Similar Systems	Lockheed Martin’s CUDA
My reasons	Loyal Wingmen need to be low cost and expendable which means they need to be relatively small in size due to which our standard missile can't fit in their IWB and thus a CUDA class missile the size of SAAW will be a perfect fit. Not to mention it would allow 5th gen platforms to carry a lot more Missile in the IWB.

Astra Mk 5
View attachment 10713

Max Range	300-350 km
Technology Used	Triple Pulsed (2 stage missile)
Target	Fighter Jets at Triple Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can only be carried externally on big fighters like Su 30 and is highly Maneuverable
Warhead	Small 20- 25 kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	Boeing LRAAM
My reasons	Can be used in a mesh network against enemy fighters where 5th gen platforms relay the target info to larger platforms in the back which would fire this missile at the target. Could be a cheaper alternative to Astra Mk 3

Astra Mk 6
View attachment 10717

Max Range	400-450 km
Technology Used	2 stage Dual Pulse Rocket Motor
Target	Support Assets (AWACS) at Long Triple Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can only be carried externally on big fighters like Su 30 and is not very maneuverable
Warhead	Large 50- 60 kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	PL 17 or AIM-174B
My reasons	It is less technologically complex than Astra Mk 3 and is badly needed to counterbalance the high numbers of AWACS and Tankers present in both PAF and PLAAF. The missile would be a 2 stage missile with 1st stage being dropped mid flight, allowing it to reach longer ranges and destroy enemy assets.

For what you call Astra Mk4, there are already two projects called NGCCM and Astra IR for that category.

 

[Satish Sharma Ji]

For what you call Astra Mk4, there are already two projects called NGCCM and Astra IR for that category.

What he is saying we should get a kuda class missile like Americans have for there future warfares ie for wing mans.
They have very advance solid fuel tech we wouldn't be able to extract a good enough needed range like them and not to mention it gotta be a kinetic hit missile which would require a good amt of energy..
Ngccm approach is our approach.

However we are forgetting dircm Exists.

 

[Nutcracker]

#BREAKING : Final experimental test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion based missile system successful.

Indigenously developed by DRDO, the tech will propel India to develop long range air-to-air missiles. Flawless mission indicates the system is ready for integration.

Credits :
@TheHemantRout

View: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1867515240629567922


View: https://x.com/shreedharsingh9/status/1867579102581993747

 

[Nutcracker]

SFDR propulsion based missile system being test fired from ITR off Odisha coast (Photo | ANI)

DRDO achieves success in final test of SFDR propulsion missile system

BHUBANESWAR: In yet another technological accomplishment, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the final round test o

www.newindianexpress.com

 

[BON PLAN]

View attachment 18634

#BREAKING : Final experimental test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion based missile system successful.

Indigenously developed by DRDO, the tech will propel India to develop long range air-to-air missiles. Flawless mission indicates the system is ready for integration.

Credits :
@TheHemantRout

View: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1867515240629567922


View: https://x.com/shreedharsingh9/status/1867579102581993747

Such range (340km at 20km altitude) was said for Meteor (> 300km).

BUT, there is a big but : in the 2 cases (Meteor and Astra) it is a maximum range, after a zero turn flight, against a non maneuvring target. ie absolutely useless. Same as saying a ballistic missile can reach a 10000km range but without any warhead !

For memory, No Escape Zone of Meteor is officially ">60km". Is it 61km? 80km? more? The french always are pessimist when they speak of weapon range....
But NEZ is the real potential of a missile.

 

[Nutcracker]

Such range (340km at 20km altitude) was said for Meteor (> 300km).

BUT, there is a big but : in the 2 cases (Meteor and Astra) it is a maximum range, after a zero turn flight, against a non maneuvring target. ie absolutely useless. Same as saying a ballistic missile can reach a 10000km range but without any warhead !

For memory, No Escape Zone of Meteor is officially ">60km". Is it 61km? 80km? more? The french always are pessimist when they speak of weapon range....
But NEZ is the real potential of a missile.

Meteor might also be benefiting with the throttlable liquid fuel ramjet. 300km with less than 200 kg weight is pretty good. Also more maneuverable.

But none the less Astra being SFDR will take less maintenance and greater shelflife.


View: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1867805409546998101

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

With the emergence of next generation AAM missiles concepts from the US and China, coupled with the proliferation of 5th gen platforms in our neighborhood and the growing significance of Loyal Wingman in future battles, highlights the need for us to be future ready and start developing the next generation of AAMs or risk falling behind."

Here is my vision for the future of BVR missiles in IAF

Astra Mk 1

Max Range	80-110 km
Technology Used	Single Pulse Rocket Motor
Target	Fighter Jets at Double Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can be carried in IWB and is highly Maneuverable
Warhead	Small 15kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	AMRAAM
My reasons	Is comparatively Cheap and provides an competitive edge over most of the current PAF inventory, would be useful as a standard BVR for secondary fighters like LCA

Astra Mk 2

Max Range	140-160 km
Technology Used	Dual Pulse Rocket Motor
Target	Fighter Jets at Long Double Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can be carried in IWB and is highly Maneuverable
Warhead	Small 20-25 kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	PL 15
My reasons	Totally Dominates Current and Future PAF inventory and can provide a somewhat competitive edge over PLAAF inventory, would be useful as a standard BVR for frontline fighters

Astra Mk 3
View attachment 10718

Max Range	250 - 300 km
Technology Used	Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet
Target	Fighter Jets at Triple Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can be carried in IWB and is highly Maneuverable
Warhead	Small 20- 25 kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	Meteor
My reasons	Even though it's expensive, it totally Dominates Current and Future PAF inventory and can provide an competitive edge over PLAAF inventory, would be useful as a special use BVR for frontline fighters

Astra Mk 4
View attachment 10710

Max Range	40-60 km (Max 80 km)
Technology Used	Relatively Single Pulse Rocket Motor
Target	Loyal Wingmen Drones at Double Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Half the size of current BVR's and can be carried in IWB of Smaller Loyal Wingman like CATS Warrior
Warhead	Hit to kill (similar to PAC-3)
Similar Systems	Lockheed Martin’s CUDA
My reasons	Loyal Wingmen need to be low cost and expendable which means they need to be relatively small in size due to which our standard missile can't fit in their IWB and thus a CUDA class missile the size of SAAW will be a perfect fit. Not to mention it would allow 5th gen platforms to carry a lot more Missile in the IWB.

Astra Mk 5
View attachment 10713

Max Range	300-350 km
Technology Used	Triple Pulsed (2 stage missile)
Target	Fighter Jets at Triple Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can only be carried externally on big fighters like Su 30 and is highly Maneuverable
Warhead	Small 20- 25 kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	Boeing LRAAM
My reasons	Can be used in a mesh network against enemy fighters where 5th gen platforms relay the target info to larger platforms in the back which would fire this missile at the target. Could be a cheaper alternative to Astra Mk 3

Astra Mk 6
View attachment 10717

Max Range	400-450 km
Technology Used	2 stage Dual Pulse Rocket Motor
Target	Support Assets (AWACS) at Long Triple Digit Ranges
Maneuverability and Carriage	Can only be carried externally on big fighters like Su 30 and is not very maneuverable
Warhead	Large 50- 60 kg PF warhead
Similar Systems	PL 17 or AIM-174B
My reasons	It is less technologically complex than Astra Mk 3 and is badly needed to counterbalance the high numbers of AWACS and Tankers present in both PAF and PLAAF. The missile would be a 2 stage missile with 1st stage being dropped mid flight, allowing it to reach longer ranges and destroy enemy assets.

Astr-4,5,6

 

[BON PLAN]

Meteor might also be benefiting with the throttlable liquid fuel ramje

Meteor use a throttable powder stato.
It is the ASMPA that use a liquid one.

 

[BON PLAN]

Meteor might also be benefiting with the throttlable liquid fuel ramjet. 300km with less than 200 kg weight is pretty good. Also more maneuverable.

But none the less Astra being SFDR will take less maintenance and greater shelflife.


View: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1867805409546998101

Astra 3 formidable?
Probably.
But between a first launch of a "ramjet rocket" (ie without load and seeker) and a FOC and ready to war missile, how many time now?

 

[londonparistokyo]

View attachment 18635
SFDR propulsion based missile system being test fired from ITR off Odisha coast (Photo | ANI)

DRDO achieves success in final test of SFDR propulsion missile system

BHUBANESWAR: In yet another technological accomplishment, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the final round test o

www.newindianexpress.com

What does this test mean for any Indian missile?

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

View attachment 18634

#BREAKING : Final experimental test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion based missile system successful.

Indigenously developed by DRDO, the tech will propel India to develop long range air-to-air missiles. Flawless mission indicates the system is ready for integration.

Credits :
@TheHemantRout

View: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1867515240629567922


View: https://x.com/shreedharsingh9/status/1867579102581993747

The 2nd one below is with booster was tested from ground, so can this missile be used as SAM also or extended range VLR-AAM? There are similar diagrams for STAR missile:

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

Are there any real pics or clip of Astr Mk2 with short fins? What is the progress?

 

[Nutcracker]

What does this test mean for any Indian missile?

Self sufficient in AEW-Awacs-Refueler killer missile. Massive No escape zone, so can chase fighter jet too. 2-3 years away from induction.

The 2nd one below is with booster was tested from ground, so can this missile be used as SAM also or extended range VLR-AAM? There are similar diagrams for STAR missile:
View attachment 18795
View attachment 18796

SAMs are just mix and match of different stages. Dont we already have half a dozen SAM projects.

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

SAMs are just mix and match of different stages. Dont we already have half a dozen SAM projects.

Yes i think we have 6: VSHORAD, Akash, QRSAM, VLSRSAM, XRSAM/Kusha, SAMAR.
I asked bcoz of Ramjet, but I just read that they removed it in Akash-NG to make it lighter for more range.

But what about VLR-AAM? I now 340Km of Astr-3 SFDR would suffice to kill non-combatant or slow flying A/c like AWACS, Tanker, Cargo, etc. But for fighters the NEZ (No Escape Zone) matters.
The secret of Meteor AAM is out & it can be expected to have 300KM+/- range with quoted NEZ of 60 Km.
So in a simple way, to increase the NEZ, the max. range needs to be extended.

 

[BON PLAN]

So in a simple way, to increase the NEZ, the max. range needs to be extended.

The 2 are linked, so yes.
But max range is only interesting to kill a target in a straight flight, with same speed from the beginning to the end. The missile is then as a rocket, and end its course with no energy.
The sole usefull data is NEZ.
And between, that means that pk (probability of kill) is decreasing with range once the target is moving (speed change, altitude change, course change).

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

The 2 are linked, so yes.
But max range is only interesting to kill a target in a straight flight, with same speed from the beginning to the end. The missile is then as a rocket, and end its course with no energy.
The sole usefull data is NEZ.
And between, that means that pk (probability of kill) is decreasing with range once the target is moving (speed change, altitude change, course change).

If small propellant is kept for terminal phase then perhaps Pk can be increased. IDK if dual-pulse rocket motor ignites after locking the target in terminal phase. Astr-2 is dual-pulse but IDK if Ramjet missiles like Meteor & Astr-3 SFDR are mono or dual pulse.

 

[BON PLAN]

If small propellant is kept for terminal phase then perhaps Pk can be increased. IDK if dual-pulse rocket motor ignites after locking the target in terminal phase. Astr-2 is dual-pulse but IDK if Ramjet missiles like Meteor & Astr-3 SFDR are mono or dual pulse.

It is the interest of dual pulse powder engine, or throttlable ramjet.

In the case of a 2 stages powder engine for exemple : the first stage burnt a few seconds, and give the missile energy to cross. Once this energy is lost due to potential energy loss (if it has to climb) or drag : or the missile fall, or it use the second stage. Once the 2nd stage energy is lost, the missile fall.

The max range is only reached in perfect conditions : missile fired from a high speed fighter, from the higher altitude possible, and against a 0G target in low altitude.
Once any of this condition is false, the range is lowered.

In the Meteor case :
Max range never disclosed, but some said >300 km (ie fired from a supersonic jet, at 15000+ meters height and against a static helo just above the ground)). In this case the missile with the less drag possible because flying main part of the trip at high altitude and no loss because manoeuvers use low amount of fuel/km.
NEZ is >60km (maybe 65, 80...) is the case of a jet flying low, in low speed, firing Meteor against a 9G fighter at 15000+ meters height. In this case the missile has to make some hard turns, and use max fuel to gain altitude.

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

R-77M's Dual Pulse Rocket Motor action in the end of this DCS game.
IDK if ramjet AAMs have it.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFP58KS2Kks&t=605s

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

A small collage of Astr-3 SFDR CADs, static model pics & diagrams.