March 04, 2013: After years in integration, the BrahMos-A air-launched version, will complete integration with an IAF Su-30MKI this year in time for a first test-firing by December 2013 or early 2014. The 290 km range missile sports a reduced booster, a nose cap and fins for stability during launch—all three components have completed development and testing. A single BrahMos-A can be deployed from the centreline hardpoint of a Su-30MKI with safe ground separation.

The supersonic missile's liquid fuelled ramjet (LFRJ) engine has also been tested at high altitude. The Su-30MKI airframe for testing has been modified to re-position the umbilical connector to the missile. A structural test-rig for the modified launcher hardpoint was built for testing at the BrahMos facility in Tiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The BrahMos-A is a little over 8.5-metres in length and weighs 2.55-tons. The missile has a release height of 500-9000 metres, a release aircraft speed of 0.5-0.9 Mach after which the missile freefalls for 100-150 metres before the booster engages. The BrahMos-S submarine-launched version of the missile will also undergo its first pontoon launch this year, ahead of the launch of the BrahMos-A.