Defence and Security

Indigenous efforts to make UAVs crosses a milestone

·        The indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) development programme by the Defence analysis and Development Organisation (DRDO) has crossed a milestone by reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet and an endurance of ten hours.

·        It has advanced capabilities and meets the wants of the 3 Services.

·        It technologically matches contemporary UAVs accessible and can even be cheaper than the imported ones.

·        With some delays in development, the Rustom-2 last year with success flew for eight hours at an altitude of 16,000 feet.

·        It has been designed and developed by the aeronautical Development establishment (ADE), Bengaluru with production partners being the hindustan aeronautics Ltd and also the bharat electronics restricted.

·        It is being developed to hold out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles and is capable of carrying completely different mixtures of advanced payload and capable of auto landing among others.

·        High endurance UAVs are a priority demand for the armed forces eastern within the standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

·        The armed forces rely heavily on the Israeli Searcher and Heron drones and need more such UAVs.

·        Fire-fighting suit Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had handed to the Home Ministry over a structural fire-fighting suit developed by DRDO’s Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi.

·        The suit weighing 2.8 kilo is an ensemble of many layers, with the outer layer being the foremost durable and protects against heat, flames, water, chemicals and conjointly against cuts and abrasion, consistent with the DRDO.

·        Such a suit has been developed for the 1st time within the country and meets European standards whereas at a similar time lowering import prices.