India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently been in the spotlight for its successful flight-tests of the indigenously-designed Abhyas High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT). The tests took place in Balasore, Odisha, with two demonstrator vehicles of Abhyas successfully meeting all evaluation parameters such as a 5 km flying altitude, vehicle speed of 0.5 mach (half the speed of sound), and an endurance of 30 minutes.
The Design and Development of Abhyas HEAT
The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a primary Aeronautical Systems Design Laboratory under the DRDO, is the brains behind the design and development of the Abhyas HEAT. The ADE has a stellar reputation for designing state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and aeronautical systems to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed forces.
Features of Abhyas HEAT
Abhyas, which is a drone (UAV), will be deployed as a target for various missile systems. One of its key features is that it is powered by a small gas turbine engine. The drone uses Micro-electromechanical (MEMS) systems-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) for navigation. MEMS is a process technology that enables the creation of tiny integrated devices or systems combining mechanical and electrical components. This technology makes the drone lightweight and reliable, consuming less power and being cost-effective overall. Furthermore, the drone has been programmed for fully autonomous flight, another notable feature.
Applications of Abhyas HEAT
The primary use of the Abhyas drone is to serve as a target for the evaluation of various missile systems. Its design and parameters make it an ideal target to test the efficacy and accuracy of these systems.
Background of Abhyas HEAT
This feat marks the second successful flight test of the target vehicle. The first successful flight test was conducted back in May 2019, marking a significant milestone in India’s defense technology capabilities.
Other notable achievements by DRDO
In addition to the success with Abhyas, the DRDO has also recently achieved a successful flight test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). These successes collectively underline the DRDO’s capabilities and commitment to enhancing the country’s defense systems and technologies.
