Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed the autonomous flying wing technology demonstrator’s maiden flight from the Aeronautical Test Range, Karnataka.
The aircraft demonstrated a perfect take-off, waypoint navigation, and a smooth touchdown in a fully autonomous mode.
The test flight is a crucial milestone in proving critical technologies for the development of future unmanned aircraft. It is also considered a significant step towards self-reliance in strategic defense technologies.
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The unmanned aerial vehicle is designed by a premier research laboratory of DRDO, Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru. The aircraft’s airframe, undercarriage, flight control, and avionics systems have been developed indigenously.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the move would boost India’s self-reliance in critical military systems. He added that this significant achievement toward autonomous aircraft would pave the way for Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Secretary of Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, appreciated the efforts of all the teams associated with the design, development, and testing of the system.
