Army successfully tests Rudrastra
The
Army
has undertaken successful trials of indigenous vertical take off and landing (VTOL) drones being developed for
cross-border strikes
to take down enemy artillery positions. The trials have been conducted at the
Pokhran firing range
, with the drones demonstrating their ability to take down targets at a range of over 50 km.
Equipped with
precision-guided warheads
that can be used in an anti-personnel role, the drones can relay back live video and return to the launch position in automated mode. The Army is looking to acquire the drones in significant numbers as a stand off weapon that can target enemy firing positions, including artillery guns placed well inside enemy territory.
Sources said that
indigenous drone manufacturers
have been invited to demonstrate the capability of their systems for the Army requirement. On Wednesday,
Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited
(SDAL) successfully completed a trial of its UAV named Rudrastra that is being developed for a variety of roles for the armed forces.
The drone demonstrated a total range of 170 km, which included loitering over the target area and an endurance of close to an hour-and-a-half. The munition dropped from the drone from a high altitude was an airburst version that exploded at a low height and destroyed targets over a wide radius as required by the Army.
The armed forces have been looking at indigenous solutions to meet evolving challenges of the battlefield and have been focusing on unmanned systems. In terms of offensive weapons, the focus has been on drones that can strike 50-100 km inside enemy territory to meet mission requirements that include taking down terrorist infrastructure and enemy positions that provide covering fire for infiltration attempts.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
What is Rudrastra? India's deadly VTOL drone that can loiter, lock, and eliminate from 50 km away
India's Rudrastra, a homegrown VTOL drone, has been successfully tested by the Indian Army, marking a significant advancement in battlefield technology. Developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited, this drone can perform precision strikes across borders without endangering soldiers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Rudrastra? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is it special? What can Rudrastra do? What's next? Imagine a drone that lifts off vertically like a helicopter, flies long distances like a jet, locks onto enemy positions deep across the border, and then returns home, all on its own. That's Rudrastra , India's latest homegrown battlefield tech marvel, successfully tested by the Indian Army With the battlefield becoming smarter and deadlier, Rudrastra marks a turning point in how India plans to strike enemies from a safe distance, no boots on the ground, just precision from the Indian Army has successfully tested Rudrastra, a fully indigenous drone with vertical takeoff and landing ( VTOL ) capability, designed to carry out precision strikes across the border without risking soldiers' is a hybrid VTOL drone developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited (SDAL). It can not only take off like a helicopter but also cruise like an aircraft, making it versatile and hard to spot. The drone is equipped with smart warheads meant for anti-personnel roles, meaning it can target enemy soldiers and positions with high drone can hit targets more than 50 km away. In tests at the Pokhran range, it demonstrated a full range of 170 km and stayed in the air for nearly 90 minutes, relaying real-time video and returning on its own. It even dropped an airburst munition that exploded low to the ground, damaging a wide area, perfect for enemy camps or meant for deep strikes, think enemy artillery guns or terrorist hideouts well inside hostile territory. The drone can quietly sneak in, strike, and return, all without risking lives. It gives the Army a powerful 'stand-off weapon' that works from a safe Army is now planning to buy these drones in large numbers. Indigenous drone makers have been asked to show off their tech as India moves to build a drone force fit for future wars. With threats constantly evolving, unmanned systems like Rudrastra could become a frontline weapon in both defence and counterterror from ET Bureau
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
More bad news for Pakistan, China, Bangladesh as India successfully tests indigenous Rudrastra drone that can destroy enemies…, can strike deep inside…
New Delhi: The Indian Army has successfully tested the indigenously developed Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) drone. This test was conducted at Pokhran Firing Range in Rajasthan. This drone will be used to destroy enemy targets across the border. It is capable of hitting targets located at a distance of more than 50 km and has been named 'RUDRASTRA'. The army wants to buy such drones in large numbers as they are capable of targeting enemy guns and other firing positions apart from attacking deep inside enemy territory. According to an ET report, Solar Aerospace and Defense Limited (SDAL) has successfully tested its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) 'Rudrastra'. This drone is being prepared to perform many tasks for the army. During the test, the 'Rudrastra' drone covered a total distance of 170 kilometers. This includes hovering over the target area and remaining in the air for about one and a half hours. The shell dropped from the drone exploded in the air just above the ground. It exploded at a very low height from the surface and was successful in destroying the targets set in a large area as per the army's requirement. The Indian Army is focusing more on indigenously manufactured weapons to deal with the challenges of modern warfare. Special attention is being given to unmanned systems. In the case of offensive weapons, the army is focusing on such indigenous drones, which can go 50 to 100 kilometers inside the enemy's territory and attack with precision. They will also be used to attack and destroy terrorist hideouts and foil infiltration attempts. Through this, those enemy positions will also be targeted from where cover fire is given to infiltrate terrorists. According to sources, indigenous drone manufacturers were called to demonstrate their systems as per the army's requirement. The army wants to use these drones as 'stand-off weapons'. This means that the enemy can be attacked from a distance. 'Rudrastra' drones are fitted with precision targeting weapons. They can also be used to kill enemy soldiers and can also send live videos and return to the launching position on their own. The army is now planning to buy such drones in large numbers.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- India Gazette
Nagpur: Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi reviews defence products of Solar Industries India Ltd
Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], June 13 (ANI): Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, accompanied by Chairman of Solar Industries India Limited, Satyanarayan Nuwal, reviewed the manufacturing processes of various defence products at the firm's headquarters in Nagpur. The visuals show Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi, accompanied by Naval officers, reviewing defence products by Solar Industries India Ltd. Speaking to ANI, the Navy Chief lauded the products and progress made by Solar Industries India Ltd. He added that there needs to be synergy between the public and private sectors, as the latter is new in defence production. 'It's really eye-opening to see what progress has been made by Solar (Solar Group) in the last 14-15 years. As far as the synergy between the public and private sectors in the defence ecosystem is concerned, it is a must because some public sector companies have been working in this field for many decades, and private companies are relatively new. So there is a need for them to talk to each other, learn from each other,' Admiral Tripathi told ANI. Chairman of Solar Industries India Ltd, Satyanarayan Nuwal, said that they showed the Navy Chief their drones and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). They also showed the navy officials their Counter-Unmanned Aerial System, Bhargavastra. Speaking to ANI, Satyanarayan Nuwal said, 'Today, we mainly showed our facility with drones and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). We showed the composite manufacturing unit of UAS. We also showed Bhargavastra (Counter-Unmanned Aerial System) to counter-drone system is a significant present situations, we learned that the biggest need is for long-range missiles. We have already presented a proposal in this regard...' Meanwhile, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Ltd, successfully completed the trial of its Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokharan Firing Range on Wednesday. The trial was conducted in accordance with the Indian Army's performance parameters, including vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), high endurance, precision targeting, and mission flexibility. The UAV demonstrated robust operational capability, covering a mission radius of over 50 km with a stable real-time video link and successfully returning to the original launch point. The total range, including loitering at the target area, exceeded 170 km, with an estimated endurance of approximately 1.5 hours. A significant highlight of the trial was the successful deployment of a precision-guided anti-personnel warhead. Dropped from medium altitude, the munition executed an airburst detonation at low height, achieving a lethal effect over a wide radius, meeting tactical effectiveness benchmarks. (ANI)
