SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The long-awaited first flight of the Archer NG (Next Generation) is expected to take place in late March or early April, marking a significant milestone in the development of this innovative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). idrw.org has previously confirmed that taxi trials for the Archer NG have already been successfully conducted, with no additional ground trials scheduled before the aircraft receives its final clearance for in-flight testing. The Archer NG is now on track to meet the developmental objectives that its predecessor, the TAPAS-BH-201, was unable to fully achieve.
One of the key design aspects of the Archer NG is its unique combination of technologies borrowed from the Tapas UAV program, particularly the front section. However, unlike Tapas, the Archer NG utilizes a distinctive single-engine, twin-boom pusher configuration. This configuration gives the UAV a high level of stability and control, allowing it to meet the demanding requirements of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles.
It is important to note, however, that the Archer NG will be limited to ISR functions initially. Unlike some other UAV programs, weapons integration and testing are expected to take place only after the UAV completes its core developmental trials. According to sources close to idrw.org, weapons integration will likely begin around three years after the Archer NG’s first flight, as the current focus is squarely on completing the developmental and flight testing phases.
The Archer NG is expected to fulfill the targets originally set for the TAPAS-BH-201 program, which faced difficulties in meeting certain performance benchmarks. In contrast, the Archer NG is on a more promising trajectory, with successful taxi trials and imminent first flight testing providing confidence in its capabilities. The new UAV is expected to exceed the expectations of the TAPAS program, offering enhanced reliability, payload capacity, and overall performance.
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