DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous High-Speed Flying Wing UAV

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully flight tested the indigenously developed High-Speed Flying Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) on 15 December 2023. The successful flight has demonstrated India’s capability to land high-speed UAVs without the use of ground radar or pilot.

• The test was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka. The High-Speed Flying Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is a technology demonstrator. 
• India has joined an exclusive club of countries having the technology to produce High-Speed Flying Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It will give a boost to self-reliance in critical defence technology.

High-Speed Flying Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) 

• The UAV has been designed and developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru.
• The first flight test of this aircraft was performed in July 2022. After this, six flight tests of this UAV have been conducted.
• The prototype of the UAV has been designed and manufactured with indigenously developed lightweight carbon prepreg composite material.
• The UAV includes integrated real-time, hardware-in-the-loop simulation and the development of state-of-the-art ground control stations.

About Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV):

• UAVs are known as drones. The UAV is an aircraft without a human pilot, crew or passengers.
• UAVs additionally include a ground-based controller and a communication system.

About Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO): 

• Established: 1958
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Director General: Purushothaman Bej
• DRDO was established after combining the Technical Development Establishment and Production Directorate of the Indian Army with the Defence Science Organisation.
• DRDO is the defence research and development wing of the Ministry of Defence. DRDO aims to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies.
• DRDO has made major contributions to enhance the effectiveness of India's military power and has provided significant benefits.

Mission of DRDO:

• To design, develop, and lead the production of state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems and associated equipment for the defence services of the country
• To provide technical solutions to the Services to optimise combat effectiveness and promote the safety of troops
• To develop infrastructure and committed quality manpower
• To create a strong indigenous defence technology base in the country