SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a premier lab of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been expanding the capabilities of its Abhyas High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT). Originally designed as an aerial target to simulate enemy aircraft for missile testing, Abhyas is now being developed into more versatile systems, including kamikaze drones and loitering munitions, with potential roles in Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) operations.
Initially developed as a cost-effective solution for training and missile target practice, Abhyas has a range of 100 km, can fly at speeds up to 0.5 Mach, and offers 45 minutes of endurance. However, ADE is now working on new variants that can transform Abhyas from a purely expendable target into a tactical platform capable of performing a variety of critical missions.
One of the most exciting developments is the kamikaze variant of Abhyas, where the aerial target would be converted into a drone designed for one-way missions, delivering explosive payloads onto enemy positions. With its range and speed, it could become a loitering munition that can be launched to hover around the battlefield, awaiting the right moment to strike.
Abhyas Concepts on offer
Kamikaze Drone: By equipping Abhyas with a warhead, the drone can be deployed as a kamikaze unit, capable of striking enemy positions or armoured vehicles. This conversion would allow India to field a cost-effective suicide drone system that could overwhelm enemy defences with swarm tactics or perform precision strikes on high-value targets.
Loitering Munitions: The endurance and range of the Abhyas platform make it an ideal candidate for transformation into a loitering munition. In this role, the drone could fly over contested areas, providing real-time intelligence to ground forces before plunging on its target when needed. Loitering munitions have proven extremely effective in modern warfare due to their ability to hover over battlefields, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): ADE is also exploring how Abhyas can be integrated into Manned-Unmanned Teaming operations. In such scenarios, a manned aircraft can work in tandem with unmanned drones like Abhyas to conduct coordinated strikes, perform reconnaissance missions, or suppress enemy air defences. MUM-T strategies are becoming increasingly valuable as militaries worldwide look to leverage unmanned systems to augment the effectiveness of manned aircraft, particularly in high-risk environments.
The versatility of the Abhyas makes it a cost-effective solution for a variety of military missions. Its ability to perform multiple roles while maintaining a relatively low cost-per-flight makes it an attractive option for the Indian armed forces.
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