Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over the first batch of two ‘Abhyas’ High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) systems to the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).
Abhyas was designed and developed by ADE, Bengaluru and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) as an indigenous target aircraft. Target aircraft are used for practice by armed aircraft and helicopters.
Abhyas is programmed for fully autonomous flight and is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at high subsonic speed. It is launched into the air, using twin under-slung boosters, which provide the initial acceleration to the vehicle.
The Abhyas target aircraft is equipped with a Micro-Electromechanical Systems-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) for navigation and the Flight Control Computer for guidance and control. In addition, it is fitted with an Indigenous Radio Altimeter for very low altitude flight and Data Link for encrypted communication between the Ground Control Station and Target Aircraft.
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