The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to use a ‘smart’ pill to keep its pilots awake and vigilant during long-haul operations.

Armed Forces Medical Services medical research ADG Major General Mandeep Singh said sleep deprivation and resultant fatigue were the biggest dangers to the success of any mission.

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“That is why we opted to go for a drug named Modafinil, which is popularly known as ‘Go Pill’,” he added.

The drug works on the central-nervous-system and promotes hyper-focus and alertness and possesses potential military applications in sustained air operations with no side effects.

The pill, which has already been tried by US pilots, has been proven to enhance pilot performance in long-duration operations lasting for over 37 hours, reports PTI.

The IAF will test the drug on pilots of transport and fighter aircraft.

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