Data Reveals India's Astra Mk3 Missile Boasts 20% Higher Ramjet Efficiency Than European Meteor, Enhancing Range and Speed

India's DRDO is making significant headway in the development of its indigenous Astra Mk3 air-to-air missile, with recent data indicating a substantial performance advantage over its European counterpart, the Meteor.

Analysis reveals the Astra Mk3 possesses a 20% higher ramjet specific impulse and an 18% longer burn time than the Meteor, positioning it as a leading contender in the next generation of beyond-visual-range (BVR) aerial combat.

The Astra Mk3's enhanced performance is primarily attributed to its advanced ramjet propulsion system. Ramjet engines, which are most efficient at supersonic speeds, utilize the missile's forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion, eliminating the need for an onboard oxidizer like traditional rocket motors.

Specific impulse, a key measure of a ramjet's efficiency, indicates how much thrust is generated per unit of fuel consumed over time. The Astra Mk3's 20% higher specific impulse compared to the Meteor suggests it can achieve and maintain significantly higher speeds.

Furthermore, the Astra Mk3 exhibits an 18% longer burn time. This extended burn duration allows the missile to sustain thrust for a more extended period, translating to a greater range and an expanded "no-escape zone," the area within which a target aircraft has little to no chance of evading the missile.

The provided data estimates the Astra Mk3's maximum range to be 270+ km when launched from a fighter, surpassing the Meteor's estimated range of approximately 250 km. Open-source data states that the Meteor's range is over 100km but this could be a conservative estimate.

The Meteor, developed by a consortium of European companies led by MBDA, is currently considered one of the world's most advanced BVR missiles. It is integrated into several prominent fighter aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, and Saab Gripen. While the Meteor has been operational since 2016, the Astra MK3 represents a significant step forward for India's indigenous missile development program.

The Astra MK3 is not simply an incremental upgrade but rather a significant leap forward in air-to-air missile technology. Its superior speed, extended range, and larger no-escape zone have the potential to significantly alter the balance of power in aerial engagements.

Astra Mk3 is based on the under-development SFDR (Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet) missile being developed jointly by India and Russia. The SFDR is also a ramjet-powered missile that has demonstrated range of over 300 km in tests. The technology developed for SFDR can enhance the capabilities of Astra Mk3.

The DRDO is anticipated to conduct further testing and refinement of the Astra Mk3. While a precise timeline for its operational deployment remains undisclosed, the advanced capabilities showcased by the missile clearly establish it as a critical asset in India's future air defence arsenal.

 

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[sanket]

Astra MK3 is known to have a range between 350 km to 400 km, and Meteor 150 km to 200 km, but the article says Meteor's range is 250 km. I haven't seen this claim anywhere; the author hasn't even mentioned the source for the 250 km Meteor range. While the NEZ for Meteor is 60 km against 150 km to 200 km total range, the question is what is the exact range of the Meteor missile and the exact NEZ if it has a 250 km range according to the article. Lastly, the weight hasn't been mentioned for both missiles, and neither has the length, so it's unfair to compare them at the moment. The speed for Meteor is Mach 4, while Astra MK3's is not mentioned in the article.

 

[beencensured]

Astra MK3 is known to have a range between 350 km to 400 km, and Meteor 150 km to 200 km, but the article says Meteor's range is 250 km. I haven't seen this claim anywhere; the author hasn't even mentioned the source for the 250 km Meteor range. While the NEZ for Meteor is 60 km against 150 km to 200 km total range, the question is what is the exact range of the Meteor missile and the exact NEZ if it has a 250 km range according to the article. Lastly, the weight hasn't been mentioned for both missiles, and neither has the length, so it's unfair to compare them at the moment. The speed for Meteor is Mach 4, while Astra MK3's is not mentioned in the article.

Astra mk 3 is clearly hypersonic missile if it has 20% more power, and if 18% longer burn time means 400 plus km max range. This probably first time I am seeing a Indian system declare its capability.

 

[Leored]

It's about sensors and algorithms of avoiding jamming and targeting system. Speed is also advantage. But efficiency is more

 

[मित्र]

Astra MK3 is known to have a range between 350 km to 400 km, and Meteor 150 km to 200 km, but the article says Meteor's range is 250 km. I haven't seen this claim anywhere; the author hasn't even mentioned the source for the 250 km Meteor range. While the NEZ for Meteor is 60 km against 150 km to 200 km total range, the question is what is the exact range of the Meteor missile and the exact NEZ if it has a 250 km range according to the article. Lastly, the weight hasn't been mentioned for both missiles, and neither has the length, so it's unfair to compare them at the moment. The speed for Meteor is Mach 4, while Astra MK3's is not mentioned in the article.

Author just giving hypothetical details, just another space filler without proper study.

 

[मित्र]

Astra, Vishnu and Akash families will be crown of our indigenous Air Denial capabilities.

 

[beencensured]

Astra mk3 will be an hypersonic missile. There are two trajectories for such missile one is ballistic for maximum range, and direct. Ballistic is good for Airtankers, and AWACS, while direct for fighter aircraft. Being hypersonic it would cover much more distance, and burn time will be more so range more than 400km. Now what radar will guide the missile 400 km, SU-30mki?

 

[desigandu]

When will astra mk3 be operational in sufficient numbers?

Will it be able to be carried inside internal weapons bay of AMCA and Ghatak?

 

[beencensured]

When will astra mk3 be operational in sufficient numbers?

Will it be able to be carried inside internal weapons bay of AMCA and Ghatak?

They will have to use network centric warfare with this one as range of missile is very great. Most aircraft cannot target a fighter size aircraft more the 150km.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Timelines?. When will its testing from jet fighter, begin?

 

[Radha Ramanan]

Author just giving hypothetical details, just another space filler without proper study.

Correct, bro, nobody seems to realize that. The program is a very top-secret affair, and no one involved, or any defence personnel involved, will ever utter any details. If so, they have to be prosecuted for letting out the country's secrets. All just wishful thinking, space-filler articles.

Again, the missile is not hypersonic, as ramjets can't go hypersonic; it's just basic physics of propulsion. That's why scramjets are being developed at extreme costs and research. The theoretical reach of the missile is of no consequence in real-life air battles. The real deal is perfecting the radar data link to and from the missile to the radar, etc., and many more.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

Technology wise it is good. But when it would be ready for production. I think it will take minimum 5 years to complete .If required we need to ask technical help from France, Russia or UK

 

[sas]

I pray this data is true and the guidance systems also achieve a high level of proficiency and the system gets inducted at the earliest in huge numbers

 

[Hey]

Technology wise it is good. But when it would be ready for production. I think it will take minimum 5 years to complete .If required we need to ask technical help from France, Russia or UK

In missile department, DRDO needs little to no help from any nation, we are at that stage where we can make a new missile system in 2-3 year, & then 3-4 years for testing, ground-air & user trials

 

[Bks98]

Good news at start of a new year. We should invent things atleast better than current best to stay at top league. Best ammunition makes fighter jets a true killer. Indigenous ammunition means software integration and control will be in our hand. Buying from USA, Europe means at future they can controlas they need.

 

[Deepak Anant Hegde]

Author just giving hypothetical details, just another space filler without proper study.

This is another case of chest thumping claiming ludicrous things for a product still under development !! Clearly shows the need to take such claims with a truckload of salt!!

 

[Sandeep]

It’s great to develop our own better missiles but we need to do it within a strict timeframe manner as otherwise it will be a long project and by the time it reaches the end stage the technology will be outdated and obsolete.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

In missile department, DRDO needs little to no help from any nation, we are at that stage where we can make a new missile system in 2-3 year, & then 3-4 years for testing, ground-air & user trials

Joke of 2025. Do you know how many years it took for astra mk2. We are struggling in subsonic cruise missiles. Why we bought israeli air launched ballistic missiles. We have just started hypersonic missile development. Still we have not completed brahmos ng.

 

[rama]

Now we have got all kind of missiles, drons , air crafts , guns , bombs , but still terriost are killing our people, so when are going to use all these weapons against enemies.

 

[Hey]

Joke of 2025. Do you know how many years it took for astra mk2. We are struggling in subsonic cruise missiles. Why we bought israeli air launched ballistic missiles. We have just started hypersonic missile development. Still we have not completed brahmos ng.

Mr. Ayyadurai, I hope you come out of the past, live in the present, and dream about the future.

For your kind information, Astra Mk-2 has completed its tests, and soon you will hear about it. Just because nowadays DRDO isn't doing press releases for missile tests, it doesn't mean that missiles are not getting tested.

Regarding subsonic cruise missiles, can you clarify where we are struggling in this decade?

And regarding hypersonic missiles, in the last 4 years, we have achieved something that even the EU hasn't achieved; we are way ahead of them.

For BrahMos NG, I hope you know that there are 2 different companies involved from 2 different countries. For every mission, you need permission from both OEMs. DRDO or any DPSU isn't involved with BrahMos. Rather, BrahMos Aerospace is involved in making many critical systems for DRDO missiles and jet engines. The BrahMos program is based solemnly on getting Russian tech and then transforming it into an India-Russia joint missile program so that we can also export that technology that Russia hasn't been able to.

And if you still want to continue the conversation, please come with facts rather than opinions.

 

[Anurag]

Timelines?. When will its testing from jet fighter, begin?

This year missile will be tested from airborne applications... We can say that for the first time missile will be tested from air to air configuration so development can take some time!!

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

Mr. Ayyadurai, I hope you come out of the past, live in the present, and dream about the future.

For your kind information, Astra Mk-2 has completed its tests, and soon you will hear about it. Just because nowadays DRDO isn't doing press releases for missile tests, it doesn't mean that missiles are not getting tested.

Regarding subsonic cruise missiles, can you clarify where we are struggling in this decade?

And regarding hypersonic missiles, in the last 4 years, we have achieved something that even the EU hasn't achieved; we are way ahead of them.

For BrahMos NG, I hope you know that there are 2 different companies involved from 2 different countries. For every mission, you need permission from both OEMs. DRDO or any DPSU isn't involved with BrahMos. Rather, BrahMos Aerospace is involved in making many critical systems for DRDO missiles and jet engines. The BrahMos program is based solemnly on getting Russian tech and then transforming it into an India-Russia joint missile program so that we can also export that technology that Russia hasn't been able to.

And if you still want to continue the conversation, please come with facts rather than opinions.

Astra 2, when did it start? I think it won't be ready before 2027. The range is also mentioned as 130 km only. 200 km missiles are available with many countries already.

We tried for so many years to develop a subsonic cruise missile and canceled one of the projects. Do you know countries like Iran and Turkey have already developed them? Can you say we have a subsonic cruise missile in production?

When did BrahMos NG start? After 20 years, only now are we able to make fuel for BrahMos.

 

[Hey]

Astra 2, when did it start? I think it won't be ready before 2027. The range is also mentioned as 130 km only. 200 km missiles are available with many countries already.

We tried for so many years to develop a subsonic cruise missile and canceled one of the projects. Do you know countries like Iran and Turkey have already developed them? Can you say we have a subsonic cruise missile in production?

When did BrahMos NG start? After 20 years, only now are we able to make fuel for BrahMos.

Again I am saying, I don't write stuff without full confirmation from different platforms. What if I tell you you will soon get good news on Astra Mk-2 (let's give you a hint, Astra Mk-2 is soon to be inducted)? Astra's range is 150km, not 130km.

We already have Nirbhay as a subsonic cruise missile. I believe a simple ChatGPT comparison between Nirbhay vs. SOM vs. Soumar will give you a perspective about which is the best amongst all, with an indigenous engine also.

Again, BrahMos is a joint venture. I hope you understand what this means; I don't want to repeat it again and again.

I hope you are aware of the progress rate of air-launched and sea-launched sub-sonic missiles based on Nirbhay with an indigenous engine if you kindly follow defence news on Twitter.

 

[KVS]

This is another case of chest thumping claiming ludicrous things for a product still under development !! Clearly shows the need to take such claims with a truckload of salt!!

Your diffidence itself is without any valid evidence. This sort of persistent negative attitude is destructive and abusive. While it's reasonable to request for evidence about a claim, you're duty bound to not reject it merely out of default disbelief!