Astra, developed indigenously by India, is which kind of missile?
- A.Surface-to-surface
- B.Beyond-visual-range air-to-air
- C.Anti-tank
- D.Anti-ship
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, beyond-visual-range air-to-air. Astra is fired from a fighter aircraft at another aircraft that is still beyond the pilot's sight, which is what beyond visual range means, and it uses an active radar seeker in its final phase. It is integrated on the Su-30MKI and on the Tejas light combat aircraft, and it replaces imported missiles of the same class.
Option A, surface-to-surface, describes Prithvi, Agni, Prahaar and Pralay. Option C, anti-tank, describes Nag with its NAMICA carrier and its helicopter versions Helina and Dhruvastra. Option D, anti-ship, describes the naval role of BrahMos and of the Sea Eagle class of weapons. The word Astra, meaning a weapon that is thrown, is easy to confuse with the others, so fix it in memory as the air-to-air missile.
Read the full article: Missile Systems of India: Agni, BrahMos and IGMDP
Practice Questions
View allIn which year was the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme approved by the Government of India?
- A.1974
- B.1983
- C.1991
- D.1998
Show answer
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, usually written IGMDP, was approved in 1983 and placed under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, with A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as its head.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following missiles was NOT one of the five developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme?
- A.Trishul
- B.Nag
- C.BrahMos
- D.Akash
Show answer
The five missiles of the IGMDP were Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash and Nag. BrahMos came later and from a different route altogether, as a joint venture between India and Russia, and it is a supersonic cruise missile, while the IGMDP produced ballistic and guided missiles of Indian design.
Read the full explanation →The name of the BrahMos missile is derived from the names of which two rivers?
- A.Brahmaputra and Moskva
- B.Brahmaputra and Volga
- C.Beas and Moskva
- D.Brahmaputra and Danube
Show answer
BrahMos is built by a joint venture of India and Russia, and its name joins the Brahmaputra of India with the Moskva of Russia to mark the partnership.
Read the full explanation →Nag, developed by the DRDO, is which type of missile?
- A.Surface-to-air missile
- B.Anti-tank guided missile
- C.Air-to-air missile
- D.Intercontinental ballistic missile
Show answer
Nag is a third generation anti-tank guided missile of the fire and forget kind, which means the operator can leave cover once the missile has locked on to the target.
Read the full explanation →Akash, developed by the DRDO, is best described as a:
- A.Medium-range surface-to-air missile
- B.Submarine-launched ballistic missile
- C.Anti-radiation missile
- D.Subsonic cruise missile
Show answer
Akash was one of the five missiles of the IGMDP and is meant to destroy aircraft and helicopters at medium range.
Read the full explanation →