Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile:
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.
- It is a European-designed short-range air-to-air missile built by the multinational company MBDA.
- 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.
- 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.
