Recently,Tapas unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) crashed in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district. Known as Tapas BH-201, formerly referred to as Rustom-2, this long-endurance drone boasts a 20.6-meter wingspan and a max speed of 225 kmph.
Its flight range of 250+ km via C Band frequency and 1000+ km through Kᵤ Band frequency and GAGAN system showcases its versatility. With an impressive endurance of over 18 hours and altitudes up to 28,000 feet, the drone’s real-time data collection aids decision-making. Although it crashed, its development continues to enhance India’s UAV capabilities.
What to study for prelims?
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): Also known as a drone, a UAV is an aircraft operated remotely without a human pilot onboard. It serves various purposes, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and data collection.
- DRDO: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an Indian government agency responsible for military research and development. It designs and develops advanced technologies for defense applications.
- C Band Frequency: C Band is a microwave frequency range used for various communication and radar applications. It falls between 4 to 8 gigahertz (GHz) on the electromagnetic spectrum.
- Kᵤ Band Frequency: Kᵤ Band is another microwave frequency range used for satellite communication. It lies between 12 to 18 GHz on the electromagnetic spectrum.
- GAGAN System: The GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system is an augmentation system developed by India to improve the accuracy and reliability of GPS signals for navigation.