SOURCE: AFI
Bengaluru, the hub of India’s aerospace innovation, has once again captured global attention with the emergence of a new stealth-shaped unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) prestigious Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). On May 25, 2025, images of the sleek, red-colored UAV with distinct stealth features surfaced, sparking widespread interest among defense analysts and enthusiasts. The UAV, spotted at ASTE’s facility in Bengaluru, is believed to be part of the IAF’s ongoing efforts to enhance its autonomous warfare capabilities through cutting-edge experimentation.
The Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, located in Bengaluru, is the IAF’s premier institution for flight testing and evaluation. Renowned for its role in shaping India’s aerospace capabilities, ASTE has a dedicated group focused on testing and developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This group regularly conducts experiments to push the boundaries of aerial technology, ensuring the IAF remains at the forefront of modern warfare. The recent sighting of the stealth-shaped UAV underscores ASTE’s pivotal role in advancing India’s indigenous defense technologies, particularly in the realm of autonomous systems.
The UAV, painted in a striking red hue, features a design optimized for stealth, characterized by its angular lines, flat surfaces, and minimal protrusions—all hallmarks of radar-evading technology. The flying-wing configuration, with no visible vertical stabilizers and a smooth, blended structure, suggests a focus on reducing radar cross-section (RCS) to evade detection by enemy air defense systems. The design also includes black vertical fins at the rear, likely for directional stability, and what appears to be an exhaust port, indicating the use of a jet engine, possibly for high-speed operations.
Defence analysts have noted that the UAV’s stealth shaping aligns with global trends in autonomous warfare, where low-observable drones are increasingly deployed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike missions. The red color, while unusual for operational stealth aircraft, is likely a test paint scheme used during the development phase to enhance visibility for safety during flight trials. The UAV’s design suggests it could be a prototype for a future combat drone, capable of penetrating contested airspace and executing missions with minimal risk to human pilots.
The emergence of this stealth-shaped UAV comes at a time when India is intensifying its focus on unmanned systems, particularly in the wake of Operation Sindoor in April 2025. During the operation, India successfully deployed indigenous loitering munitions like the SkyStriker, developed by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems, to neutralize terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The IAF’s multi-layered air defense network, bolstered by systems like the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra and the newly delivered Surya VHF radar, also demonstrated its ability to counter aerial threats, highlighting the need for advanced UAVs to complement such capabilities.
ASTE’s experiments with stealth UAVs are part of a broader strategy to develop autonomous systems that can operate in high-threat environments. The IAF has been exploring unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to enhance its strike capabilities, reduce pilot risk, and maintain a strategic edge over adversaries like Pakistan and China. The stealth-shaped UAV at ASTE could be a precursor to a production model, potentially integrated with India’s C4ISR framework for real-time battlefield coordination.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.