DRDO To Develop UAV For Use In Operations Along Himalayan Border

In order to improve logistics for operations in the Himalayas, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an untethered multi-copter payload and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying a five-kilo payload.

The craft, unveiled at the 108th Indian Science Congress in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is capable of dropping bombs in enemy territory.

According to DRDO officials, the multi-copter was tested at an altitude of 14,000 feet in Sikkim. The product is set to undergo two more trials before it is ready for induction into the Armed Forces.

According to DRDO official Mahesh Sahu, the organisation is working on increasing the UAV's capacity to 30 kg.

He added that the multi-copter can perform autonomous missions with waypoint navigation within a 5 km radius.

According to Sahu, the payload UAV can be helpful in dropping medicines for soldiers deployed at high altitudes or in war zones.

Other features of the multi-copter payload include beacon-based landing accuracy of 100 mm, ground vehicle follow mode and a modular design for ease of operation.