Credit - TheIndianExpress
The last Friday, Abhyas High-Speed Expandable Aerial Target (HEAT) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur near the base of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha was successfully tested. It was tested under the keen observation of the Defense Research and Development Organization and Defense Ministry. After the successful testing, Defense Ministry stated that the Target Aircraft will meet the HEAT requirements of the Armed Forces.
The successful testing of the flight trail of Abhyas was carried out as a part of developmental flight trials. Post its completion, DRDO began getting praises from some of the big shots. Also, our current defense minister Mr. Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for its success.
DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) designed and developed this masterpiece war machine. However, this vehicle has not been named yet. This unmanned aerial vehicle will be used as a target for the evaluation of missile systems.
Abhyas HEAT will get its initial stimulation by the twin under-slung boosters. To sustain a long-term durable flight at subsonic speed in the State-of-art Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, small gas turbine engines are used. Target Aircraft’s performance was monitored through telemetry and various other tracking sensors this is assured by the Ministry of Defense. Further, they added that the production of vehicles was already been floated to the Indian Industries.
DRDO Chairman also came forward to praise the teams correlated with the successful Aerial Target flight test. He termed Abhyas as a force multiplier. Further, he added that it exemplifies the accuracy and effectiveness of the UAV.
For guidance and control, Abhyas HEAT is equipped with an MSME-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the Flight Control Computer (FCC). Further, the Ministry of Defense mentioned that the vehicle is designed for fully automatic flights. Additionally, their checkouts will be monitored through a laptop-based Ground Control Station (GCS).
As the name suggests, An unmanned Aerial Vehicle is a military vehicle that is guided autonomously or by remote control. It is an important addition to India’s arsenal of weapons.