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2w ago

India Successfully Completes Maiden Flight Test of Stratospheric Airship

The DRDO's indigenously developed platform reached 17 km altitude, marking a breakthrough in India's high-altitude surveillance technology.

The airship platform was launched with an instrumental payload to an altitude of around 17 kms.
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Overview

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the first flight trial of its Stratospheric Airship Platform on May 3, 2025, from Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh.
  • The airship, developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra, reached an altitude of 17 kilometers during the 62-minute test flight.
  • Key in-flight systems, including envelope pressure control and emergency deflation mechanisms, were tested and validated during the trial.
  • Onboard sensor data was successfully collected and will be analyzed to develop high-fidelity simulation models for future long-endurance missions.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat praised the achievement, highlighting its potential to enhance India's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.