India launches its own reconnaissance airship into the stratosphere for the first time
The Indian defence industry has successfully tested a stratospheric balloon platform that has reached an altitude of 17 km.
Here's What We Know
The first flight of the experimental reconnaissance airship was conducted by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the project is the responsibility of the Airborne Research and Development Centre (ADRDE). The platform, equipped with specialised sensors, climbed to an altitude of about 17 km, where it collected data for future research and modelling.
During the 62-minute flight, the pressure control and emergency descent systems were tested. After landing, the airship was returned for further study. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the development team, stressing the strategic importance of this achievement in enhancing India's intelligence capabilities.
India's reconnaissance stratospheric airship. Illustration: pib.gov.in
The DRDO chief also stressed that this platform is only the first step towards the creation of full-fledged long-lasting stratospheric balloons capable of operating at high altitudes for a long time. Only a few countries in the world currently have such technologies.
In short, the US Army, as previously reported, is also developing its own high-altitude micro balloons for reconnaissance. There, research is focused on systems that can operate at altitudes above 18 km.
Source: DRDO
