DRDO takes another major step towards self-reliance in aeronautical technologies
The HAL, Lucknow has already made preparations for the production of these units for the current 83 LCA Tejas Mk1A order.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flew the Rustom-2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) on Sunday, 25 February.
Rustom-2 is an armed UAV and will add to India’s frontline air power once inducted into the armed forces.
The test was carried out from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga in Karnataka.
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According to DRDO, this test flight is the first “in user configuration with higher power engine”.
The flight was witnessed by senior officials of the DRDO including Chairman and Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) Dr. S Christopher
All parameters were normal during the 10-minute flight which lasted from 7.45 am to 7.55 am.
@DRDO_India successfully flew its Rustom 2 today at its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga. @DefenceMinIndia @PIB_India @MIB_India @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/XraISjLtXA
— DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) February 25, 2018
This test comes three months after a successful test in 2017, which came seven years after the test of Rustom-1.
The Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Rustom series of drones are being developed for the three services – Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force of the Indian Armed Forces. It is designed to replace/supplement the Heron UAVs currently in service with the Indian armed forces.
Also known as Tactical Air-Borne Platform for Surveillance-Beyond Horizon 201 (Tapas-BH 201), Rustom-2 is meant for surveillance alone and, according to a report published in November 2017 won’t have combat capabilities.
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