DRDO conducted the test at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
India’s major achievement in developing unmanned fighter aircraft
New Delhi, 15 December: The second flight of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator (AFWTD) has been a complete success.
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) conducted this exercise on Friday at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka. This is considered a major success in the direction of developing unmanned fighter aircraft.
This aerial vehicle has been designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, the premier research laboratory of DRDO based in Bengaluru.
DRDO officials said that the first flight test of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator was conducted on July 01, 2022. In the second flight test, the UAV demonstrated successful flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth landing.
Officials informed that the entire flight control and avionics systems used for the airframe, undercarriage and aircraft of the UAV have been indigenously developed. This UAV is powered by a small, turbofan engine. This flight is a major milestone in proving key technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft. It is also an important step towards India’s self-reliance in such strategic defense technologies.
DRDO said with this flight in tailless configuration India has joined the exclusive club of countries who have mastered the control of flying wing configuration. This UAV has been designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO. Six flight tests were conducted in various developmental configurations using two in-house built prototypes, with the aircraft scheduled for maiden flight in July 2022.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO on the successful flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator from Chitradurga ATR.
