Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator

Context

Recently,Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out the maiden test flight of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka.

About 

• The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or a combat drone is powered by a small turbofan engine which is of flying wing type.

  • The engine is Russian TRDD-50MT originally designed for cruise missiles.
  • A small turbo fan engine is being developed indigenously to meet the requirement.
• It is developed under unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) programme.
• It is designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru,primarily for the Indian Air Force.a premier research laboratory of DRDO.
• The flying wing type of aircraft refers to a tailless fixed-wing aircraft which houses its payload and fuel in its main wings and does not have a defined fuselage-like structure found in conventional aircrafts. 
• The design has the potential to deliver high fuel efficiency and stability if executed with precision.
  
  

Significance

• The Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator is a precursor to an autonomous stealthy UCAV,primarily for the Indian Air Force. 
• The UCAV will be capable of launching missiles and precision-guided munitions.
• Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown.
• This flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft.
• This is a significant step towards self-reliance in strategic defence technologies.

Developments of UAV by DRDO

• DRDO is in the process of developing UAVs of different classes to met the requirements of the armed forces. 
  • Rustom-2, the indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV under development, had crossed a milestone by reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet and an endurance of 10 hours in December 2021.
• It is being designed to reach an altitude of 30,000 feet and 18 hours endurance.