A development that can be seen as a giant leap in technology, the Ministry of Defence has inked a deal to design and develop ‘High Altitude Pseudo Satellite’ (HAPS) with a Bengaluru-based firm.
It is important to note that the deal for futuristic high-altitude pseudo satellite will be mentored under the Defence Ministry’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. Further, the programme will strengthen the country’s military strike capabilities and will see state-owned aerospace firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the lead prototype development partner.
Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies joined hands with the Defence Ministry, with a plan to develop the first prototype for tests within the span of the next four years.
Notably, major UAV-related tech development was started under iDEX for High Altitude Platform System HAPS. The developed UAV will fly in the stratosphere for months.
Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar lauded the initiative and said, “Huge step towards cutting edge aerospace development by startups.”
Notably, the initial phase of the programme will be undertaken by the startup with the seed funding by the Defence Ministry and the prototype development is likely to see Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as the lead partner.
Understanding HAPS
With the estimated budget of ₹700 crores to develop the system, the initiative will be part of HALs Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) which seeks to integrate manned airborne platforms with swarm drones and a high altitude surveillance network.
Giving the cutting edge technology, the HAPS is being designed to undertake surveillance and communication duties for months and will encompass applications in the civilian domain in the future.
Further, the UAV is being designed to cruise at an altitude of 70,000 feet, to maintain surveillance on the ground below. Further, it would rely on solar energy to power itself for months to a stretch.
Interestingly, secondary batteries of the futuristic pseudo satellite will get charged in the daylight to power overnight flights.
The first-of-kind project will also see the unmanned systems being controlled from the mothership via secure data links and equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors.
This technology will provide a major fillip to the Indian Defence forces as it will prepare us for the future warfare ecosystem and will enable intelligent surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
