The locally developed high-speed expendable aerial target ABHYAS is designed to support live-fire weapons tests. Credit: Indian Ministry of Defence.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has performed the flight test of a locally developed high-speed expendable aerial target (HEAT), known as Abhyas.

The flight test was conducted from the Interim Test Range, Chandipur, in the Indian state of Odisha.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Built by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the HEAT drone is designed to offer a realistic threat scenario for the practice of weapon systems.

In a statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: “The flight test was tracked by various radars and electro-optic systems and proved its performance in fully autonomous waypoint navigation mode.”

Abhyas is designed on an in-line small gas turbine engine and features a domestically developed microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based navigation system that can be used to support navigation needs and guidance.

The MoD stated that the tests showcased the capability of the drone to meet the mission requirement for a cost-effective HEAT.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The HEAT system comprises a Luneburg lens in the nose cone that can enhance the target’s radar cross-section for weapons practice.

In addition, Abhyas is equipped with an acoustic miss distance indicator (AMDI) that allows users to find out how much a missile missed its target by.

The aerial target supports autonomous flying assisted by an autopilot. The system can also support live-fire weapons tests.

DRDO conducted the first experimental launch of the system in 2012, timesnownews.com reported. The report stated that the Indian Government allocated initial funding of Rs150bn ($2.13m) for the project.

It can be used to simulate aircraft for surface-to-air and air-to-air interception missile testing.