Stratospheric platform attains 21 km altitude during test to develop endurance capabilities for aerial surveillance
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed a flight trial of a high-endurance Indigenously Developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS). As stated by the Ministry of Defence, the stratospheric platform ascended to an altitude of 21 kilometres above mean sea level and stayed at 20 kilometres for over 30 minutes before descending and being recovered successfully.
As it was being tested, the vehicle broadcast live video and vehicle-status information to a ground control station. It had onboard an inertial measurement unit, a GPS receiver, cameras, and an altitude control. The system is under development by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) at Agra. The trial was carried out in conjunction with the Indian Air Force along with other Aviation and certification authorities.
Elevated platforms could enable long-term surveillance or other applications requiring continuous monitoring in the stratosphere. The test also provided performance data for technology development but is not a systems demonstration.
