New Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator | 02 Jul 2022

Why in News?

Recently, Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) carried out the maiden test flight of a new unmanned Aerial Vehicle, an Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator.

• DRDO is in the process of developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of different classes to meet the requirements of the armed forces.

What is Autonomous Flying Wing Technology?

• About:
  • It's an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) or a combat drone that is a flying wing type.
  • It refers to a tailless fixed-wing aircraft that houses its payload and fuel in its main wings and does not have a defined fuselage-like structure found in conventional aircraft.
  • The design has the potential to deliver high fuel efficiency and stability if executed with precision.
• Applications:
  • Mapping of Landslide Affected Area
  • Infested Crop Damage Assessment
  • Large Scale Mapping
  • Traffic Monitoring and Management
  • Logistics support

What are its Specifications?

• The Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator is a precursor to an autonomous stealthy UCAV which is being developed by the DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), primarily for the Indian Air Force.
  • ADE is a key Aeronautical Systems Design Laboratory under DRDO.
  • It is involved in the design and development of the state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Aeronautical Systems and technologies to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed forces.
• The UCAV will be capable of launching missiles and precision-guided munitions.
• The vehicle is powered by a small turbofan engine.

Source: TH