Taking a major leap in indigenous flying technology, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out the successful maiden flight of the ‘Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator’ from the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft showcased a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown.
#DRDOUpdates | Successful Maiden Flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator@PMOIndia https://t.co/K2bsCRXaYp https://t.co/brHxaH7wbF pic.twitter.com/SbMnI5tgUM
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) July 1, 2022
Congratulating DRDO for the achievement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “It is a major achievement towards autonomous aircrafts which will pave the way for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in terms of critical military systems.”
Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy also appreciated the efforts of the teams associated in the design, development and testing of the system.
Notably, the successful trial of the aerial vehicle marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of futuristic unmanned aircraft. It also marks the significant step towards self-reliance in such strategic defence technologies.
Designed & developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a premier research laboratory of DRDO, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is powered by a small turbofan engine. It also consists of an airframe, undercarriage, entire flight control and avionics systems. Notably, all these components have been developed indigenously in India