The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made a significant breakthrough with the successful flight trial of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator. This state-of-the-art technology plays a crucial role in India’s covert stealth combat drone project, known as Ghatak. The remarkable feat took place at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka, positioning India among the elite nations that have mastered the controls for the Flying Wing configuration.

During Minister Singh’s visit, the focal point will be discussions with his British counterpart, UK Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Grant Shapps. The talks are expected to cover a wide range of bilateral issues, with a particular emphasis on strengthening defense engagement between the two nations. This visit follows several high-profile interactions between military leaders from both countries, indicating a concerted effort to enhance collaboration.

The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), operating under the DRDO, played a leading role in the engineering and realization of this high-speed flying wing UAV. Its maiden flight took place in July 2022, marking the beginning of a series of successful flight trials. To date, the technology demonstrator has undergone six trials, showcasing its capabilities in various developmental configurations, utilizing two prototypes produced in-house.

The prototype aircraft features an intricate arrowhead wing design and is constructed using lightweight carbon prepreg composite material developed domestically. This highlights India’s commitment to self-reliance in aerospace technology. The composite structure incorporates fiber interrogators for health monitoring, emphasizing the system’s robustness and reliability.