Indian specialists have proposed using the Su-30MKI to launch a separate unmanned missile carrier, which will be able to independently approach the air combat zone and deploy Astra Mk-II missiles from there. The concept is intended to increase the effective range of weapon deployment without significantly increasing the range of the missile itself.
The idea is to create a small unmanned aerial vehicle with a jet engine, navigation system, communication, and air-to-air weaponry. It is intended to be suspended under a heavy Su-30MKI fighter, after which the aircraft will release the carrier at a distance from the dangerous zone.
The drone will then independently continue its flight to the calculated launch point. From there, it will be able to deploy Astra Mk-II missiles, while the manned Su-30MKI will remain further away from areas with a high concentration of air defense assets.
The concept considers a device weighing about 2.5 tons. This is comparable to the weight of heavy weaponry that the Su-30MKI can carry on its reinforced central pylon. However, 2.5 tons cannot be considered the weight of the available ammunition: it must include the carrier body itself, engine, fuel, controls, navigation equipment, a secure communication channel, and a missile release mechanism. Therefore, the actual weight of Astra Mk-II on board will be significantly less.
It is assumed that the carrier will not require a full-fledged fighter radar. It will be able to receive targeting information via a secure channel from an AWACS aircraft, another fighter, or another element of a combined detection system. After reaching the designated area, the device will be able to refine target data and launch a missile.