SOURCE: AFI
In a significant advancement for India’s indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program, the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has successfully completed engine ground runs and taxi trials for two prototypes of the Archer-NG (Next Generation) armed UAV. The milestone, achieved in early February 2025, paves the way for the UAV’s highly anticipated first flight, expected within the next month. This development marks a crucial step toward bolstering India’s capabilities in aerial reconnaissance and precision strike missions.
The Archer-NG, an advanced iteration of the earlier Rustom series, is being developed by ADE in Bengaluru as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV designed for both surveillance and combat roles. With a focus on enhancing India’s self-reliance in defense technology, the Archer-NG promises superior performance over its predecessors, featuring stealth characteristics, an increased operational ceiling, and the ability to carry precision-guided munitions.
The UAV is equipped with a single, indigenously developed engine, offering improved endurance—estimated at over 24 hours—and a service ceiling of approximately 30,000 feet. Its modular design allows for the integration of advanced payloads, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and electronic warfare systems, alongside air-to-ground weapons such as laser-guided bombs and missiles. This versatility positions the Archer-NG as a multi-role platform capable of addressing modern battlefield demands.
The completion of engine ground runs and taxi trials represents a critical validation of the Archer-NG’s propulsion and structural integrity. Conducted at a DRDO test facility, likely the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka, these trials involved powering up the UAV’s engine to assess its performance under simulated operational conditions, followed by low- and high-speed taxi runs to evaluate ground handling, braking, and stability.
A DRDO official familiar with the program confirmed that both prototypes performed as expected, with no major technical glitches reported. “The engine ground runs tested thrust, fuel efficiency, and thermal management, while the taxi trials verified the airframe’s aerodynamics and control systems,” the official noted. These successes have instilled confidence in the team as they prepare for the UAV’s first flight, scheduled for late March or early April 2025, pending weather conditions and final safety checks.
The Archer-NG’s development comes at a time when India is intensifying efforts to reduce dependence on imported UAVs, such as the Israeli Heron and the U.S.-supplied MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones leased by the Indian Navy. While these foreign platforms have bolstered India’s ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities, the Archer-NG promises a cost-effective, domestically produced alternative tailored to India’s specific security needs.
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