DRDO's ABHYAS Aerial Target Excels in Successful Flight Trials

Defense News ,India :- India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently accomplished four successful flight trials of the high-speed expendable aerial target named 'ABHYAS.' These trials, held at the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur between January 30 and February 2, achieved important mission objectives. The advancements in the trials represent a significant achievement for DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and its collaboration with production agencies.

About Abhyas Drone

The Abhyas is a special kind of airplane made by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), which is part of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in India. It is not a regular plane; it is made to be a target for testing different missile systems. Let's look at some of the important details about the Abhyas Drone:

Specifications:

• Length: It is 2385 mm long.
• Diameter: It is 180 mm wide.
• Weight: It weighs 75 kg.
• Engine: It has a gas-turbine engine that can produce a thrust of 25 kg.
• Maximum speed: It can go really fast, at about Mach 0.5, which is approximately 617 kmph.
• Maximum altitude: It can go up to 5000 m, which is about 16,000 ft high.
• Endurance: It can stay in the air for 30-45 minutes.
• Range: It can fly up to 400 km.
• Features: It has some cool features like GPS, an on-board computer to control its flight, a miss-distance indicator to measure how close things come to it, autopilot for automatic flying, and a radar signature augmentation.

Mission Objectives Achieved:

The flight trials of ABHYAS focused on achieving specific mission objectives, and all were successfully met. These objectives included the safe release of the booster, clearance from the launcher, and achieving the required end-of-launch velocity. The success of these goals highlights the effectiveness of the revised robust configuration and the single booster designed by the Advanced Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad.

Validation of Key Parameters:

The trials also validated various crucial parameters for the aerial target's performance. These parameters include endurance, speed, manoeuvrability, altitude, and range, confirming ABHYAS's capabilities as a high-speed expendable aerial target.

ABHYAS - Realistic Threat Scenario:

Designed by DRDO's ADE, ABHYAS serves as a realistic threat scenario for practicing weapon systems. It features an indigenous autopilot system, ensuring autonomous flying capabilities. Equipped with a radar cross-section, visual, and infrared augmentation system, ABHYAS provides a comprehensive platform for weapon practice.

Cost-Effective Alternative with Export Potential:

ABHYAS stands out as a cost-effective alternative to imported equivalents and requires minimal logistics. The laptop-based ground control system allows for easy integration, pre-flight checks, data recording, replay, and post-flight analysis. With support from production agencies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defence, ABHYAS is now ready for production and holds export potential, making it available for friendly nations.

Acknowledgments and Appreciation:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the armed forces, and the defence industry for the successful flight trials of ABHYAS. DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat expressed appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the teams involved in the design, development, and testing of the system. The successful trials mark a significant step forward in India's capabilities in high-speed aerial target technology.