ABHYAS: DRDO tests High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the high-speed expendable aerial target (HEAT) called ABHYAS on October 22, 2021.

Key Points

• ABHYAS high-speed expendable aerial target will be used to evaluate several missile systems,
• It was tested from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha.

Who developed ABHYAS?

ABHYAS has been designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO, headquartered in Bengaluru.

About ABHYAS

The flight test of ABHYAS was carried out as a part of developmental flight trials. To produce them, an expression of interest has already been floated for the Indian industries. This indigenous target aircraft will meet the requirements of High-speed Expendable Aerial Targets (HEAT) after its development. It is being developed for the Indian Armed Forces.

Features of ABHYAS

ABHYAS is powered by a gas turbine engine due to which, aircraft will sustain a long endurance flight at a subsonic speed. This target aircraft has been equipped with MEMS-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) in order to navigation along with Flight Control Computer (FCC) for guidance and control. It has been programmed for fully autonomous flight. The check-out of air vehicle is completed through a laptop-based Ground Control Station (GCS).

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)

ADA was established in the year 1984, under the Department of Defence Research and Development (DR&D) of Ministry of Defence. It looks after the development of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme. It has already developed HAL Tejas and currently involved in developing HAL AMCA, DRDO Ghatak and HAL TEDBF.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2021