DRDO tests high-altitude platform, keeps it at 20 km for over 30 minutes

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out the flight trial of an indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), with the experimental platform reaching an altitude of 21 km above mean sea level and remaining at 20 km for more than 30 minutes.

The Defence Ministry said the platform, developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, was a lighter-than-air system being designed as a long-endurance stratospheric aerial surveillance platform.

During the trial, the HAPS was commanded to descend after maintaining the designated altitude and was successfully recovered. Flight performance data were subsequently analysed.

Real-time video and vehicle parameters were transmitted to the Ground Control Station throughout the flight, demonstrating the intended performance of the system.

The platform carried several instrumentation and control electronic systems, including an inertial measurement unit, Global Positioning System receiver, onboard cameras and an altitude-control mechanism, besides other subsystems.