Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile

Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile Latest News

The Indian Air Force is set to equip its fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets with the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile, or ASRAAM.

About Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile

• It is a European-designed short-range air-to-air missile built by the multinational company MBDA.

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Features of Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile

• The missile measures 2.9 metres in length, weighs 88 kilograms and carries a high-explosive warhead.
• The ASRAAM uses heat-seeking technology and is optimised for close-in dogfights.
• It operates on a fire-and-forget principle, which means once launched; the missile guides itself to the target without further input from the pilot.
• Speed: It reaches speeds in excess of Mach 3, can engage fast-moving fighter aircraft at ranges greater than 25 kilometres and delivers pinpoint accuracy. 
• The technology features a Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) capability, allowing the pilot to fire the weapon before the seeker even sees the target. 
• It has already been integrated on the indigenous LCA Tejas and Jaguar aircraft.
• The weapon is highly manoeuvrable, capable of pulling extreme G-forces to track rapidly turning fighter jets.
• Once fired, its aerodynamic design and powerful rocket motor ensure it maintains high energy throughout its flight path.

Source: NDTV