CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -DRDO and the IAF jointly conducted a live launch of the Astra BVR missile from a Su-30 MKI combat aircraft in May 2014. The missile successfully demonstrated its control and guidance and aerodynamic characteristics during a test flight from a naval range off Goa in June 2014.

Detailed explanation-2: -AMRAAM® – Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile – is the world’s most sophisticated, combat-proven air dominance weapon. With more than 30 years of design, upgrades, testing and production, the AIM-120 missile continues to meet warfighter requirements in all weather and beyond visual range.

Detailed explanation-3: -AMRAAM is the most widely used BVR missile. The AAM-4B was the first BVR missile to utilize an AESA seeker. Meteor uses ramjet sustainer motor. A MiG-29 Fulcrum fires an AA-10 “Alamo".

Detailed explanation-4: -Astra (Sanskrit: “weapon") is an Indian family of all weather beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The missile is capable of engaging targets at varying ranges from a distance of 500 m (0.31 mi) up to 110 km (68 mi).

Detailed explanation-5: -Astra Mk1, a beyond visual range (BVR), air-to-air missile, has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited.