Why in the News?
India advanced its indigenous defence tech with SDAL’s successful trial of the Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at Pokhran.
About Rudrastra:
- Rudrastra is an indigenously developed Hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV built by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL).
- The UAV is engineered for deep-strike capabilities, capable of carrying out precision missions without endangering human soldiers.
- It is tailored for anti-personnel roles, with airburst munitions designed to strike targets across hostile borders.
- Rudrastra blends rotor-based vertical lift with fixed-wing cruise capability, enhancing deployment across diverse terrains.
- It is considered a “stand-off” weapon, enabling missions deep into enemy territory with autonomous return capability.
Key Features:
- Hybrid VTOL Design: Can vertically take off and land like a helicopter and cruise like a fixed-wing aircraft, enhancing flexibility.
- Extended Range: Demonstrated a total mission range of over 170 km, including loiter time over the target.
- Real-Time Surveillance: Maintained a stable video link while covering a 50+ km mission radius.
- Precision Strike Capability: Successfully deployed airburst munitions, effective for area damage and anti-personnel use.
- Endurance: Achieved a flight endurance of 1.5 hours, ideal for extended ISR or strike operations.
- Autonomous Navigation: Returned independently to the launch site after completing the mission.
- Made in India: Fully developed by an Indian defence company, supporting indigenous innovation in combat drones.
| [UPSC 2025] With reference to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), consider the following statements:
I. All types of UAVs can do vertical landing. II. All types of UAVs can do automated hovering. III. All types of UAVs can use battery only as a source of power supply. Which of the statements given above are correct? Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All the three (d) None* |
