India successfully tests 'Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator' -

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By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, July 1: At a time when India braces for fast adoption of indigenous adoption of defence technology, the maiden flight of the autonomous ‘Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator’ was carried out successfully by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka on Friday.

This demonstration of the critical technology is likely to boost acceleration of further advancement in the capabilities in acquiring and developing the unmanned aircrafts.

The development has come at a time when India’s defence procurements from Ukraine and Russia face uncertain prospects with the raging war between the two countries. Russia has been India’s mainstay for defence equipment. Ukraine on the other hand is home to a number of defence industries which manufacture parts used by the defence forces.

After the Light Combat Aircraft built indigenously by India, the technology demonstration of unmanned aircraft will give a major fillip in the border security of the country, besides carrying out other critical operations.

“It is a major achievement towards autonomous aircrafts which will pave the way for Atmanirbhar Bharat in terms of critical military systems,” said Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh after DRDO conducted the successful technology demonstration of unmanned aircraft.

Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown, said DRDO, adding that the flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft and is significant step towards self-reliance in such strategic defence technologies.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, a research laboratory of DRDO. It is powered by a small turbofan engine. The airframe, undercarriage and entire flight control and avionics systems used for the aircraft were developed indigenously, said the DRDO.

It may be recalled that drones are now widely being utilized by the military forces all around the world to carry out critical operations. India too is banking on drones for border security. The country has recently unveiled a national drone policy, while private sectors are working in areas of drone development, while partnering with the defence forces.

Also, the US widely uses the unmanned military aircrafts for targeted operations, which were seen in Afghanistan, while raining missiles at the hideouts of the Taliban.