New Delhi, — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a flight trial of its indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), reaching an altitude of 21 km above mean sea level (AMSL).
During the experimental flight, the platform climbed to 21 km and subsequently maintained an altitude of around 20 km for more than 30 minutes. It was then instructed to return to the ground and was successfully recovered, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.
The flight generated performance data that was analysed by the DRDO team to assess the platform's capabilities and identify areas for further development. Real-time video and other vehicle parameters were also received at the ground control station throughout the flight.
The platform carried an inertial measurement unit, GPS receiver, onboard cameras, altitude control mechanism and other instrumentation and control systems.
The HAPS is a lighter-than-air system being designed and developed by DRDO's Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, as a long-endurance stratospheric aerial surveillance platform.
The latest trial follows ADRDE's maiden stratospheric airship flight on May 3, 2025, from the Sheopur trial site in Madhya Pradesh. That system reached around 17 km during a flight lasting about 62 minutes. The earlier test evaluated envelope pressure control and emergency deflation systems, after which the platform was recovered for further study.
The latest flight trial was conducted with support from the Indian Air Force, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other civil authorities.
High-altitude platforms of this type are intended to operate in the stratosphere for extended periods and can support surveillance, intelligence gathering and related missions. The latest trial provides additional performance data for the continued development of the system.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, public sector undertakings and industry partners involved in the successful trial, describing it as an important milestone in India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat efforts to develop a long-endurance stratospheric airship.
Defence Secretary, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the teams involved in the flight trial.
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