The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flown the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying wing UAV, from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka, news agency ANI reported. The successful flight demonstration of an autonomous stealthy unmanned aerial aircraft demonstrates the country’s technological preparedness levels.
#WATCH | DRDO has successfully demonstrated the flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying wing UAV from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga in Karnataka. With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has… pic.twitter.com/TpnUb3ApXI
— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2023
India has entered the select club of countries that have mastered the controls for the flying wing configuration with this flight in the tailless configuration.
The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO designed and produced this UAV. This aircraft made its debut flight in July 2022, followed by six flight trials in various developmental configurations utilising two in-house constructed prototypes.
These flight tests resulted in the creation of a robust aerodynamic and control system, as well as integrated Real-Time and Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation and a cutting-edge Ground Control Station. The crew had optimised the avionic systems, integration, and flight operations in preparation for the 7th successful flight in the final configuration.
#WATCH | DRDO has successfully demonstrated the flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying wing UAV from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga in Karnataka. With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has… pic.twitter.com/Yj6dv6bZc5
— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2023
The lightweight carbon prepreg composite material developed in-house is used to build and produce the aircraft prototype with a sophisticated arrowhead wing structure.
Furthermore, the composite structure is impregnated with fibre interrogators for health monitoring, demonstrating self-sufficiency (Atmanirbharta) in Aerospace technology. The Autonomous landing of this high-speed UAV without the requirement for ground radars/infrastructure/pilot is demonstrated as a unique capability demonstration, allowing take-off and landing from any runway given measured coordinates.
To increase the accuracy and integrity of GPS navigation, onboard sensor data fusion was combined with indigenous satellite-based augmentation employing GAGAN receivers.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Armed Forces, and the Industry on the successful flight testing of the system, stating that the indigenous development of such important technology will strengthen the Indian Armed Forces.