The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on July 1, 2022, successfully carried out its first test flight of a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, from the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, in Karnataka. The UAV was designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, which is a premier research laboratory of DRDO.
This Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator is considered to be the forerunner to future unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) combat drone being developed for the Air Force. The UCAV will be capable of launching missiles and precision-guided munitions. It is also a significant step towards self-reliance in strategic defence technologies.
The Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator
The Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator has been powered by a small turbofan engine. The turbofan engine is an airbreathing type of jet engine. It is Russian TRDD-50MT engine, which is originally designed for cruise missiles. This small turbofan engine is also being developed indigenously for meeting the requirement. The flying wing structure of the demonstrator is referred to as a tailless fixed-wing aircraft. This houses its payload and fuel in its main wings. Unlike the conventional aircraft, this demonstrator does not have a defined fuselage-like structure. If executed with precision, it has the potential to deliver high fuel efficiency and stealth as demonstrated by some advanced bombers, like B-2 bomber of the USA arsenal.
This flying wing type of aircraft has a key operational advantage as it has low reflective cross sections. This results in low radar signature, thus, making it a stealth machine. The aircraft also has a very low drag or air resistance due to its unique shape.
The airframe, which is the basic mechanical structure of the aircraft, the undercarriage, the landing gear used for take-off and landing, and the entire flight control along with avionics systems used for the demonstrator, have been developed indigenously.
Development of Future Combat Drones by DRDO
Nishant, Rustom, Tapas, and Lakshya are some of the drones developed by DRDO in the past. All these have different capabilities and operational roles. In July 2021, the DRDO also unveiled its indigenous anti-drone technology, Naval Anti Drone System (NADS), for induction in the Indian Navy.
The DRDO is also in the process of developing UAVs of different classes to meet the requirements of the armed forces. Rustom-2, the indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV, is under development.
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