IndiaPosted at: Oct 6 2026 6:24PM


DRDO successfully conducts flight-trial of indigenous High-Altitude Platform at 21 km

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a flight trial of an indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), with the experimental system reaching an altitude of 21 km above mean sea level and maintaining an altitude of 20 km for more than 30 minutes.
Following the endurance phase, the platform was commanded to descend and was successfully recovered. The flight performance data was subsequently analysed, the Ministry of Defence said.
During the trial, real-time video and other vehicle parameters were transmitted from the airborne platform to the Ground Control Station. The data indicated that the system performed as intended throughout the flight.
The platform carried several instrumentation and control electronic systems, including an inertial measurement unit, a Global Positioning System receiver, onboard cameras and an altitude control mechanism, besides other critical subsystems.
The trial was conducted in coordination with the Indian Air Force, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other civil authorities.
The HAPS, described as a lighter-than-air system, is being designed and developed by DRDO's Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra. It is intended to serve as a long-endurance stratospheric aerial surveillance platform.
The successful flight is significant as platforms operating in the stratosphere can potentially provide persistent surveillance and communications support over large areas while remaining airborne for extended periods. Such systems can complement conventional airborne and satellite-based surveillance capabilities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, public sector undertakings and industry partners involved in the trial, describing the achievement as an important milestone in India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat journey towards realising a long-endurance stratospheric airship.
Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the teams associated with the flight trial of the high-altitude airship platform.
UNI PWS RSA
Tags: #DRDO successfully conducts flight-trial of indigenous High-Altitude Platform at 21 km
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