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Difficulty: MediumDefense and Nuclear Technology

Consider the following statements regarding the 'Astra' missile system indigenously developed in India:

1. It is India's first indigenous Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM).
2. It is powered by a single-stage solid-propellant rocket motor.
3. It features an active radar terminal homing mechanism for guidance.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A
    1 and 2 only
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2, and 3Answer

Answer

All three statements (1, 2, and 3) are correct.
The correct answer includes all three statements because Astra is India's first indigenous Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), powered by a single-stage solid-propellant engine, and guided by mid-course inertial navigation combined with active radar terminal homing.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding missile classification and role.
Statement 1 is correct. Astra Mk-1 is India's first indigenously designed and developed Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) capable of engaging enemy aircraft at ranges beyond visual sight.
DRDO developed Astra specifically as an all-weather, day-and-night air-to-air missile asset for fighter aircraft such as Su-30MKI.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding propulsion technology.
Statement 2 is correct. Astra uses a smokeless single-stage solid-fuel rocket motor that propels it to supersonic speeds exceeding Mach 4.5.
Solid propellant provides high reliability and immediate readiness essential for air-launched interceptor missiles.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding guidance and tracking mechanism.
Statement 3 is correct. The missile uses fiber-optic gyro-based inertial navigation for mid-course guidance and an active radar seeker for terminal homing.
Terminal active radar seeker allows autonomous lock-on capability near the target.

Key Concept

Indigenously developed air-to-air missile platforms (Astra BVRAAM) and their propulsion/guidance systems.
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Topics

Defense and Nuclear Technology

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