Rudrastra UAV: SDAL Successfully Tests Indigenous UAV 'Rudrastra' at Pokharan Firing Range, ET Manufacturing
#WATCH | Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) has successfully completed the trial of its Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokharan Firing Range on 11th June 2025. The trial was conducted in line with performance parameters laid out by the Indian Army, including vertical… pic.twitter.com/vGhQn4maMX — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
Advt
'Bhargavastra' counter-drone system tested in Gopalpur
By ,
ETInfra
The Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited ( SDAL ) on Wednesday completed a test of its Hybrid VTOL UAV, Rudrastra, at the Pokharan Firing Range According to news agency ANI, the trial was carried out as per Indian Army performance parameters, including mission flexibility, precision targeting, high endurance, and vertical take-off and landing.The UAV covered a mission radius exceeding 50 km during the test, maintaining a continuous video link before returning to its launch point. The total range, including time spent at the target zone, was over 170 km, with an estimated endurance of 1.5 hours.During the exercise, SDAL deployed a precision-guided anti-personnel warhead . The munition detonated in a low-height airburst after being released from medium altitude, covering a wide area and meeting the required tactical parameters.The UAV's features include VTOL capabilities , long-range operations, real-time observation, and targeting precision. SDAL described the test as a step in the development of indigenous defence technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.In a related development, SDAL in May tested a low-cost Counter Drone System , named Bhargavastra, in Hard Kill Mode. The system uses unguided micro rockets as its primary line of response and is designed to counter drone swarms within a 2.5 km range and a 20-metre impact radius.The Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur conducted the testing of the micro rockets, which reportedly met the performance goals.SDAL stated that the system can operate across multiple terrains, including high-altitude areas above 5,000 metres, and has been developed to align with the operational needs of India's military services.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
"Outdated, misinformed, and disconnected from reality," Amit Malviya slams Rahul Gandhi's claims on Make in India
New Delhi [India], June 21 (ANI): BJP leader Amit Malviya on Saturday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the 'Make in India' initiative, and said that India's manufacturing sector is growing strongly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Amit Malviya said India is now the world's second-largest mobile phone maker, growing from just 2 factories in 2014 to over 300 today. He added that the PLI scheme brought in Rs 10,905 crore in investments, with total production of Rs 7.15 lakh crore and exports of Rs 3.9 lakh crore, proving Rahul Gandhi's claims wrong. In a post on X, Amit Malviya wrote, 'Rahul Gandhi claims that manufacturing is collapsing under Modi's 'Make in India'. Let's bust the myths with facts. India is now the world's 2nd largest mobile phone producer. From just 2 mobile manufacturing units in 2014 to over 300 today. The so-called 'failed' PLI scheme, as labelled by Rahul Gandhi, has led to: Cumulative investments of 10,905 crore, Total production worth 7.15 lakh crore, Exports of 3.9 lakh crore, Electronics production value rose from 18,900 crore (FY14) to 4,22,000 crore (FY24).' 'Mobile phone exports surged 77-fold from 1,566 crore (2014-15) to 1.2 lakh crore (2023-24), 99.2% of mobile phones sold in India are now made in India, up from just 26% in 2014-15. Under the PLI scheme for electronics alone, 1,39,670 direct jobs have already been created. 1.8 lakh new companies were registered in 2023-24, marking a 16% increase over the previous year. Electronics exports hit USD 38+ billion in FY24-25, a 32% year-on-year increase. PLI allocations for electronics rose from 5,747 crore (FY24-25) to 8,885 crore (FY25-26) a clear signal of continued commitment,' the post reads. Malviya said that under PM Modi, India has transformed from an importer to a global manufacturing powerhouse. He said the government has approved major semiconductor projects worth Rs 1.52 lakh crore and that electronics production is expected to reach USD 300 billion by 2026. He dismissed Rahul Gandhi's criticism as outdated and said India is growing, building, and leading in the tech and manufacturing sectors. 'The government has approved landmark semiconductor projects worth 1.52 lakh crore, a critical leap into deep-tech manufacturing. Overall, electronics production is projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2026. Under PM Modi, India has transformed from an importer to a global manufacturing powerhouse. Rahul Gandhi's narratives are outdated, misinformed, and disconnected from reality. India is building. India is growing. India is leading,' the post further reads. Earlier in the day, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that despite promises of a 'Make in India' factory boom, manufacturing in the country is at a record low and youth unemployment is very high. Gandhi questioned the effectiveness of the 'Make in India' initiative, highlighting that manufacturing in the country has fallen to a record low of 14 per cent of the economy since 2014. (ANI)
India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
MNRE launches Rs 2.3 crore start-up challenge
New Delhi [India], June 21 (ANI): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge on Rooftop Solar (RTS) and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Technologies, during the National Conference on Skill Development for the Renewable Energy Workforce at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi. This unique national innovation challenge aims to identify and support breakthrough solutions for India's rooftop solar and distributed energy ecosystem, the statement from the Ministry said. It is being implemented under the aegis of MNRE with support from the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), and in coordination with StartUp India, DPIIT. Further, as per the statement, the Start-Up Challenge seeks applications from innovators and startups in India, focusing on four key categories to boost renewable energy adoption: Affordability - Making rooftop solar affordable for low- and middle-income households using innovative financing, modular systems, and circular economy strategies. Resilience - Enhancing climate resilience, grid stability, and cybersecurity in solar infrastructure, especially for vulnerable and remote areas. Inclusivity - Expanding access to underserved communities through community solar, virtual net metering, and inclusive financing models. Environmental Sustainability - Promoting eco-friendly technologies such as solar panel recycling, land-neutral solar deployment, and hybrid clean energy models. The challenge welcomes a wide range of startups in green tech, IoT, AI, blockchain, construction, energy hardware, fintech, and waste management. The selected innovators will compete for a total prize pool of Rs 2.3 crore, including Rs one crore for 1st Prize, Rs 50 lakh for 2nd Prize, Rs 30 lakh for the third Prize, and 10 Consolation Prizes of Rs five lakh each. Winners will also gain incubation support, pilot implementation opportunities, and mentorship from domain experts and investors, facilitated by MNRE and NISE. The last date for applications is August 20, 2025, and the result will be announced on September 10, 2025. Applications can be submitted through Startup India's website. (ANI)
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
VTOL Rudrastra Drone: Takes off like a copter, strikes like a jet - The Economic Times Video
The Indian Army has successfully tested Rudrastra, a fully indigenous VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone designed for precision strikes deep inside enemy territory. Developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited, Rudrastra can take off like a helicopter, fly like a jet, and hit targets more than 50 kilometers its Pokhran trials, Rudrastra flew over 170 km, remained airborne for 90 minutes, dropped an airburst munition, and returned safely, all without any human intervention. The drone's smart warhead and autonomous targeting system make it ideal for striking camps, artillery units, and terror hideouts across the border. Show more Show less
