The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of an indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS) on October 6, 2026. The experimental flight achieved an altitude of 21 kilometers above mean sea level and maintained a stable altitude of 20 kilometers for over 30 minutes before being commanded to descend. The system was successfully recovered, and flight performance data was thoroughly analyzed.
Real-time video data and all vehicle parameters were acquired from the airborne platform at the Ground Control Station throughout the entire flight, confirming intended flight performance. The platform carried multiple instrumentation and control electronic packages including an inertial measurement unit, Global Positioning System receiver, onboard cameras, and altitude control mechanism, along with various other subsystems.
The trial was conducted in coordination with multiple agencies including the Indian Air Force, CEMILAC, DGCA, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and other civil authorities. The High-Altitude Platform is a lighter-than-air system designed as a long-endurance stratospheric aerial surveillance platform, being developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh commended DRDO, IAF, PSUs, and industry partners on the successful flight trial, stating that this achievement represents an important milestone in India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat journey toward realizing a long-endurance stratospheric airship capability. Defence Secretary and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the teams involved in the successful flight trial.