New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a flight trial of its indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS), reaching an altitude of 21 km above mean sea level and demonstrating its ability to operate in the stratosphere.
The successful trial marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to develop advanced, long-endurance aerospace platforms under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the experimental flight reached 21 km and remained at an altitude of around 20 km for more than 30 minutes before being commanded to descend. The platform was subsequently recovered safely, while flight performance data collected during the mission was analysed.
Real-Time Data Transmission
The trial demonstrated the HAPS platform’s capability to operate in the stratosphere, a region that can provide significant advantages for persistent surveillance, communications and monitoring missions.
During the flight, real-time video and vehicle performance data were continuously transmitted from the airborne platform to the ground control station.
The platform carried several instrumentation and control systems, including an inertial measurement unit, GPS receiver, onboard cameras and altitude-control mechanisms. Officials said the various subsystems functioned as intended throughout the mission.
Multi-Agency Coordination
The flight trial was conducted in coordination with several agencies, including the Indian Air Force, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other civil authorities.
The HAPS is being designed and developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, a DRDO laboratory.
The lighter-than-air system is intended to function as a long-endurance aerial platform capable of remaining in the stratosphere for extended periods. Such a platform could support a range of applications, particularly persistent surveillance, communications and environmental or strategic monitoring.
Rajnath Singh Congratulates DRDO
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, public sector undertakings and industry partners involved in the successful trial.
Singh described the achievement as an important milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in advanced aerospace technologies and the development of a long-endurance stratospheric airship.
The successful HAPS flight trial strengthens India’s technological capabilities in high-altitude, persistent aerial operations and represents another step towards developing indigenous aerospace systems for strategic applications.
