Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed four flight tests of High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) – 'Abhyas' from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha during January 30 to February 02, 2024.
The flight tests were conducted with four different mission objectives in modified powering configuration.
For this, a single booster designed by Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad, was used, to provide low launch acceleration.
The 'Abhyas', designed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), provides a realistic threat scenario to practice weapon systems. It is designed for autonomous flight with the help of autopilot indigenously built by ADE. It has a system to enhance radar cross-section, visual and infrared required for weapon practice.
It has a laptop-based ground control system with which the aircraft can be integrated and can carry out pre-flight checks, on-flight data recording, post-flight replay and post-flight analysis etc. 'Praayyas' requires minimal logistics and is also cost-effective compared to imported counterparts.