India plans to develop solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Πηγή: NDTV
Dec 10 2011


India is planning to develop a solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and scouting for a foreign partner for collaboration.

According to sources in the Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the proposed solar based UAV would have much longer - as high as 15 days - flight duration.

ADE has already developed mini-UAVs of two kg class, which is undergoing flight trials and micro-UAVs of 300 mm size. These have been demonstrated to the users which included police from varius states and paramilitary forces.

ADE has successfully developed Polotless Target Aircraft Lakhsya-I which can fly at a speed of 300 km/hr for 45 minutes. Three services have already placed order for more than 50 aicraft. Later, Lakshya-II was developed which flies at a higher speed of 700 km/hr at altitudes as low as 25 ,etres with complete digital electronics. User trials were completes and this would be inducted shortly into the service.

Nishant UAV was developed with payload capacity of 60 kgs and endurance of four hours. This was accepted by the services, whch placed the orders for more than ten aircrafts. "ADE has now developed modified and advanced Lakshya which has undergone trials with the users and we are working with then for their applications" an official added.