Bhubaneswar: ABHYAS, the high-speed expendable aerial target (HEAT), was successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off the Odisha coast on Wednesday.
ABHYAS is designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was launched using twin under-slung boosters which provide the initial acceleration. It is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain long flights.
It is equipped with micro-electromechanical systems-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) for navigation, Flight Control Computer for guidance and control, Indigenous Radio Altimeter for very low altitude flight and Data Link for encrypted communication between the Ground Control Station and ABHYAS. It is programmed for fully autonomous flight.
