Latest news with #StratosphericAirshipPlatform
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
DRDO conducts maiden flight trials of Stratospheric Airship Platform in MP
Bhopal: The Defence Research and Development Organisation ( ) has successfully conducted the maiden flight trials of its Stratospheric Airship Platform from the Sheopur Trial Site in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra, the airship was launched with an instrumental payload, reaching an altitude of approximately 17 kilometers. Data from onboard sensors were received during the flight and will be used to develop high-fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude airship operations. The flight also tested the performance of envelope pressure control and emergency deflation systems, which were deployed as part of the trial. Following the flight, the system was recovered for further analysis. The flight lasted about 62 minutes, agencies report. Congratulating DRDO on the successful trial, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh stated, "This system will significantly enhance India's Earth observation , Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, positioning India among the few nations globally with such indigenous high-altitude platforms." Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also congratulated the team for their efforts. He highlighted that the successful prototype flight is a critical step towards realizing lighter-than-air high-altitude platform systems capable of remaining airborne for extended durations at stratospheric heights.
The Print
04-05-2025
- Science
- The Print
DRDO eyes persistent high-altitude surveillance edge as Stratospheric Airship soars in maiden trial
'The flight lasted around 62 minutes, during which data was collected by onboard sensors,' the defence ministry said in a statement. It added that the airship was safely recovered after testing critical systems, including envelope pressure control and emergency deflation mechanisms. Developed by the Agra-based Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), the unmanned airship ascended to an altitude of approximately 17 kilometres, carrying an instrumented payload. New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Saturday conducted the maiden flight trial of its Stratospheric Airship Platform from the Sheopur test facility in Madhya Pradesh. A stratospheric airship functions as a high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS), designed to operate between 17 and 22 kilometres above the Earth for extended periods. It uses helium for lift and is typically powered by solar energy, with onboard batteries enabling night-time operation. Unlike satellites or aircraft, such platforms can loiter over a fixed area for days or even weeks, offering persistent surveillance and communications support. Their capacity to carry imaging sensors, radar systems or telecommunications payloads makes them valuable for border monitoring, disaster response and wide-area intelligence missions. They also fill a critical gap between drones and satellites, delivering the reach of space-based systems while offering faster deployment, lower costs and greater operational flexibility. DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat hailed the flight as a significant achievement, describing it as a step towards developing long-endurance, lighter-than-air systems capable of operating in the stratosphere. 'This system will enhance India's earth observation and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, positioning the country among the few globally with such indigenous capabilities,' said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Sources indicated that only a small number of countries have succeeded in developing similar high-altitude platforms, given the considerable technological and operational challenges involved. (Edited by Radifah Kabir) Also Read: India to get HawkEye 360 tech from the US. Here's how it spots 'dark vessels'
Hans India
04-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
DRDO Successfully Tests Maiden Flight Of Stratospheric Airship Platform
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a significant milestone on May 3 with the successful completion of the first flight trial of its indigenous Stratospheric Airship Platform. The test was conducted at the Sheopur trial site in Madhya Pradesh, with the development led by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) based in Agra. During the 62-minute test flight, the lighter-than-air airship carried an instrumental payload and reached an impressive altitude of approximately 17 kilometers. Engineers successfully tested critical in-flight systems, including envelope pressure control and emergency deflation mechanisms, while collecting valuable data from onboard sensors. This data will be instrumental in developing high-fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude airship missions. Following the flight, the system was recovered for further examination and analysis, marking an important step forward in India's aerospace capabilities. "This lighter than air system will enhance India's earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance capabilities, making the country one of the few countries in the world having such indigenous capabilities," DRDO announced in a statement shared on social media platform X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO team on this achievement, highlighting how the system positions India among a select group of nations with indigenous stratospheric platform technology. The successful test represents a significant advancement for India's defense and surveillance capabilities. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, described the prototype flight as a milestone in developing lighter-than-air, high-altitude platforms capable of sustaining long endurance operations at stratospheric heights.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
India conducts first trial flight of stratospheric airship platform enhancing aerial surveillance
Picture source: PIB Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden flight of its Stratospheric Airship Platform from its trial site in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. This marks a notable moment in India's aerial surveillance technology. The platform developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), based in Agra, carried a payload of instruments and climbed to around 17 kilometres above the Earth. Data from onboard sensors was successfully received and will be used to improve future simulation models for high-altitude airship missions. DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight-trials of its Stratospheric Airship Platform During the flight, pressure control and emergency deflation systems were tested to check their performance. After the 62-minute flight, the trial team recovered the airship for further study. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO scientists, saying that the new system will boost India's capabilities in earth observation, intelligence, and surveillance. He added that very few countries currently have such indigenous high-altitude airship technology. DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat also hailed the flight, noting that the prototype is a step towards developing long-endurance, lighter-than-air platforms that can stay in the stratosphere for extended periods. Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry on Saturday said India is in the process to procure a next-generation Very Short Range Air Defence System or VSHORADS (NG), which should be able to engage aerial targets "both by day and night" and under all weather conditions, including in snow-bound locations.
Economic Times
04-05-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight-trial of stratospheric airship platform in Madhya Pradesh
On May 3, 2025, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight-trial of its Stratospheric Airship Platform at Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. Developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra, the airship carried an instrumental payload to an altitude of 17 km. The flight lasted 62 minutes, providing valuable data for future high-altitude airship development. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh lauded the achievement, enhancing India's ISR capabilities. Show more 11:52 03:17 03:07 03:36 03:55 06:20 04:17 03:09 04:57 04:11 03:38 07:28 03:46 03:05 07:46 06:24 03:53 06:18 03:12 05:06 04:31 09:14 10:20 04:10 10:23 03:06 03:05 04:41 03:01 03:01 04:13 03:10 08:30 03:43
