India's light combat aircraft (LCA), Tejas, has successfully test-fired a Derby air-to-air beyond visual range (BVR) missile from a test range at Chandipur.
The trial was conducted to evaluate Derby integration with aircraft systems onboard Tejas, including the aircraft avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and missile weapon delivery system, and to verify its performance.
During the test, the Derby air-to-air BVR missile was fired in radar-guided mode towards a manoeuvrable aerial target.
The target was destroyed after the missile launch was performed in lock-on after launch mode for a BVR target in the look down method, the Indian Ministry of Defence stated.
The sensors at the Interim Test Range in Chandipur tracked the target and missile.
All systems onboard the aircraft performed satisfactorily and the missile completely destructed the designated target.
The test firing of the Derby missile, which achieved all its planned objectives, is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities on LCA aircraft for final operational clearance, according to the defence ministry.
Built by Israeli defence company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Derby air-to-air missile can be integrated onto a variety of fighter aircraft such as F-5, F-16 Fighting Falcon, Gripen E and Mirage, and is capable of engaging aerial threats from short ranges and near-beyond visual range.
Derby's high-explosive fragmentation warhead defeats non-armoured targets and light material targets.
With a speed of Mach 4, the missile can be launched at an enemy target under all weather conditions, both during the day and at night.
