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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (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), in Karnataka's Chitradurga.
The successful flying demonstration of this autonomous stealthy unmanned aerial vehicle is a testimony to the maturity of the technology readiness levels in the country. With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has joined the elite club of countries that have mastered the controls for the Flying wing configuration. This UAV was designed and developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, a premier research laboratory of DRDO. The maiden flight of this aircraft was demonstrated in July 2022, followed by six flight trials in various developmental configurations using two in-house manufactured prototypes. These flight tests led to achievements in the development of a robust aerodynamic and control system; integrated Real-Time and Hardware-in-loop Simulation, and a state-of-the-art Ground Control Station. The team had optimized the avionic systems, integration and flight operations towards the successful 7th flight in the final configuration. The aircraft prototype with a complex arrowhead wing platform is designed and manufactured with lightweight carbon prepreg composite material developed indigenously. Also, the composite structure is impregnated with fibre interrogators for health monitoring is a showcase of self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in Aerospace technology. As a unique capability demonstration, the Autonomous landing of this high-speed UAV without the need for ground radars/infrastructure/pilot is proved, allowing take-off and landing from any runway with surveyed coordinates. This was possible using onboard sensor data fusion with indigenous satellite-based augmentation using GAGAN receivers to improve the accuracy and integrity of GPS navigation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complemented DRDO, the Armed Forces and the Industry for the successful flight trial of the system and stated that the successful development of such critical technologies indigenously will further strengthen the Indian Armed Forces. (ANI)
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