New Delhi

The ‘ABHYAS’ high-speed expendable aerial target (HEAT) was successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the Odisha coast on Wednesday.

The performance of the aerial target, at low altitude including sustained level and high manoeuvrability, was demonstrated during the test flight.

‘ABHYAS’ was flown from a ground-based controller in a pre-designated low-altitude flight path, which was monitored by various tracking sensors deployed at the Test Range.  

The aerial target has been designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Launched using twin under-slung boosters which provide the initial acceleration, it is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at high subsonic speed.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, armed forces and the industry for the successful flight trial of ABHYAS and said that the development of this system will meet the requirements of aerial targets for the armed forces.