MALE Drone Can Operate At Altitudes Of Up To 22,000 Feet

India's Defense Research and Development Organization has successfully test-flown its Rustom 2 Drone, which is described as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV.

The Rustom 2 is being designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, according to the Economic Times of India. It should be able to loiter at about 22,000 feet for 24 hours, according to government officials.

In a statement, the DRDO said it "successfully flew its Rustom 2 today at its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga. This flight assumes significance due to the fact that this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine." The agency said that the aircraft operated within its design parameters.

The Rustom 2 is designed to carry a variety of payloads, including synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness technology.

The UAV has been designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO, and aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Ltd are its production partners.

(Image provided by DRDO)

FMI: Original report