DRDO developing ultra lightweight UAV

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Mar 24 2013 | 9:45 AM IST
DRDO is developing an ultra light-weight Unmanned Aerial Vehicle which can be used by troops for reconnaissance of their area of operation.
"The Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) has a span of 300 millimetre (mm) and weighs 300 grammes. It has been equipped with day-light TV camera. Cruise speed is 20 knots (37 kmph) and operational altitude is 30-100 metres," DRDO said in Defence Ministry's annual report.
The MAV can be used for close-range situational awareness by troops within a radius of two kilometres and it is expected to be useful in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in North East and Jammu and Kashmir, it said.
Earlier, the Defence Research and Development Organisation had developed a 1.5 kg Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called 'Netra'. It was developed by Pune-based Aerial Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).
With successful design and development of various UAVs, ARDE is planning to diversify the technology and make technologically superior products, DRDO officials said.
The agency is also designing UAVs with bigger ranges and endurance to penetrate deeper in the operational areas and enemy territories.
'Rustom' is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) being developed by it for the three services.
Another UAV 'Nishant' is tasked with intelligence gathering over enemy territory and also for reconnaissance, training, surveillance, target designation, artillery fire correction and damage assessment.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 24 2013 | 9:45 AM IST

Next Story