Overview
- DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment carried out an experimental flight on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 that reached 21 km above mean sea level, maintained roughly 20 km for more than 30 minutes, was commanded to descend and was recovered safely.
- The platform transmitted continuous real‑time video and vehicle telemetry to a ground control station throughout the mission, providing live data on flight behaviour for engineers to review.
- Onboard systems — including an inertial measurement unit, GPS receiver, onboard cameras and altitude‑control mechanisms — operated as intended during the stratospheric phase of the test.
- The trial was run in coordination with the Indian Air Force, CEMILAC, DGCA, AAI and other civil authorities, reflecting early regulatory and operational integration for future tests and deployments.
- DRDO said flight performance data are now being analysed to refine the lighter‑than‑air HAPS design and certify it for longer missions that could offer lower‑cost, persistent surveillance and communications between aircraft and satellites.