High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target ABHYAS Successfully Flight-Tested From ITR Off Odisha Coast

Balasore: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday successfully flight-tested ABHYAS, the High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT), from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off Odisha coast.

The performance of the target aircraft was monitored through telemetry and various tracking sensors including Radars and Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS). It can be used as an aerial target for the evaluation of various missile systems, according to a PIB release.

ABHYAS is designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru. The air vehicle is launched using twin under-slung boosters which provide the initial acceleration to the vehicle. It is powered by a gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at subsonic speed.

The target aircraft is equipped with an MEMS-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) for navigation along with the Flight Control Computer (FCC) for guidance and control. The vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight. The check-out of air vehicles is done using a laptop-based Ground Control Station (GCS).

The flight test was carried out as a part of developmental flight trials. Expression of interest for the production of the vehicle has already been floated to Indian industries. Once developed, the indigenous target aircraft will meet the requirements of High-speed Expendable Aerial Targets (HEAT) for the Indian Armed Forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO for the successful flight-trial of ABHYAS.