Four flight trials of the High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ‘ABHYAS’ were successfully conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha’s Chandipur.
Throughout the flight trials, various parameters such as required endurance, speed, manoeuvrability, altitude, and range were successfully validated. The trials were conducted between January 30 and February 2.
‘ABHYAS’ requires minimal logistics and is cost-effective compared to imported equivalents.
The flights have been designed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) which offers a realistic threat scenario for the practice of weapon systems. It is engineered for autonomous flying with the assistance of an autopilot developed indigenously by the ADE.
The trials were carried out with four different mission objectives, utilising a single booster designed by the Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad, to provide reduced launch acceleration.
The objectives, such as the safe release of the booster, launcher clearance, and attaining the required end-of-launch velocity, were achieved. Throughout the flight trials, various parameters such as required endurance, speed, manoeuvrability, altitude, and range were successfully validated.
Equipped with a radar cross-section and visual and Infrared augmentation system necessary for weapon practice, it also features a laptop-based Ground Control System that enables aircraft integration, pre-flight checks, data recording during the flight, replay after the flight, and post-flight analysis.
The systems recently tested were also realised through manufacturing units of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defence.
‘ABHYAS’ is ready for production and holds export potential for friendly countries.
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