Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator

About Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator

• It is an indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
• It is designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment.
• The maiden flight of this aircraft was demonstrated in July 2022.
• These flight-tests led to achievements in development of robust aerodynamic and control system; integrated real-time and hardware-in-loop simulation, and state-of-the-art Ground Control Station.
• The team had optimised the avionic systems, integration and flight operations towards the successful seventh flight in final configuration.
• The aircraft prototype, with a complex arrowhead wing platform, is designed and manufactured with light-weight carbon prepreg composite material developed indigenously.
• Also, the composite structure, impregnated with fibre interrogators for health monitoring, is a showcase of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the aerospace technology.
• The autonomous landing of this high-speed UAV, without the need for ground radars/infrastructure/pilot, showcased a unique capability demonstration, allowing take-off and landing from any runway with surveyed coordinates

Q1) What is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle?

UAVs, also known as drones, are a class of aircraft that can fly without a pilot. UAVs offer a relatively risk-free and low-cost way to quickly observe objects at a high spatial and temporal resolution that has opened a new distinct era of remote sensing.

Source: DRDO carries out successful flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV