The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight-trials of its Stratospheric Airship Platform on May 3 from the Sheopur trial site in Madhya Pradesh. The platform was developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra.

“The DRDO successfully carried out maiden flight-trials of stratospheric airship platform from Sheopur trial site in Madhya Pradesh on May 3,” the defence ministry said.

The airship, carrying an instrumental payload, reached an altitude of approximately 17 kilometre during the flight. The trial lasted about 62 minutes. Data from onboard sensors was received and will be used to develop high-fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude airship missions. In-flight systems such as envelope pressure control and emergency deflation were also tested for performance. The system was recovered for further examination.

“DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight trial of Stratospheric Airship with instrumental payload to an altitude of around 17 kms. This lighter than air system will enhance India’s earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance capabilities, making the country one of the few countries in the world having such indigenous capabilities,” DRDO wrote on X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO on the successful trial, stating that the system will significantly enhance India’s capabilities in earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), placing India among a select group of nations with such indigenous technology.

Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also commended the team behind the design, development, and testing of the system. He called the prototype flight a milestone in the development of lighter-than-air, high-altitude platforms capable of long endurance at stratospheric heights.