WATCH | DRDO carries out four successful flight trials of High-speed Expendable Aerial Target ‘ABHYAS’, ready for production

Chandipur, Feb 5: In a major development, the Defence Research & Development Organisation carried out four successful flight trials of High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) - ABHYAS from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha.

The four successful flight trials of ABHYAS were conducted from January 30 to February 2. The trials were conducted with four different mission objectives in a revised robust configuration using a single booster designed by Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad to provide reduced launch acceleration.

"The objectives like safe release of booster, launcher clearance and attaining the required end of launch velocity were achieved. During the flight trials, various parameters like required endurance, speed, manoeuvrability, altitude and range were successfully validated," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

What is ABHYAS?

1.ABHYAS is designed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)

2.ABHYAS offers a realistic threat scenario for practice of weapon systems and is designed for autonomous flying with the help of an auto pilot indigenously made by the ADE.

3.It has a radar cross-section, visual and Infrared augmentation system required for weapon practice. It has a laptop-based Ground Control System with which the aircraft can be integrated and pre-flight checks, data recording during the flight, replay after the flight, and post-flight analysis can be carried out.

4.ABHYAS requires minimum logistics and is cost effective compared to imported equivalents.

Also Read: DRDO successfully flight-tests High speed Expendable Aerial Target - ABHYAS

5.The systems tested recently were realised through Production Agencies – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defence. With identified production agencies, ABHYAS is ready for production.

6.The system has export potential and can be offered to friendly countries.

"Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the DRDO, the Armed Forces and the Industry for the successful flight trial of ABHYAS. The development of this system will meet the requirements of aerial targets for the Armed Forces. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat appreciated the efforts of the teams associated in the design, development and testing of the system," the Ministry added.