SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
Bengaluru-based aerospace startup NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of a 24-hour+ flight by its High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) prototype. This marks a major leap forward in India’s development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with extended endurance capabilities.
The HAPS SCALED, a solar-powered UAV, utilizes a Bushless DC electric motor and boasts a maximum take-off weight of 80kg. During the record-breaking flight over ATR Chitradurga, the HAPS SCALED exceeded all pre-defined test objectives.
NRT is not resting on its laurels. They are currently developing a full-scale version of the HAPS, dubbed the HAPS Full Scale. This larger UAV will have a significantly increased maximum take-off weight of 450kg and an impressive payload capacity of 35kg. Even more remarkably, the HAPS Full Scale is envisioned to stay airborne for a staggering 90 days.
Before embarking on the development of the HAPS Full Scale, NRT plans to conduct further endurance tests on the HAPS SCALED. These tests will assess the prototype’s ability to remain operational for 7 days at an altitude of 20km above mean sea level (AMSL) while maintaining a cruising speed of 100 km/h.
The Indian Navy has recognized the potential of NRT’s HAPS technology. The development of the HAPS Full Scale is estimated to cost ?450 crores, and the Indian Navy is likely to be a key beneficiary of this project. These solar-powered, long-endurance UAVs hold immense potential for surveillance, communication relay, and other critical maritime applications.
NRT’s successful flight test of the HAPS SCALED demonstrates India’s growing prowess in the field of UAV development. With continued innovation and support from organizations like the Indian Navy, NRT is well-positioned to play a leading role in the development and deployment of HAPS technology for both civilian and military applications.
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