Indian drone Rustom-2 makes ‘successful’ test flight

ISLAMABAD: India Sunday claimed carrying out a “successful” test flight of its Rustom-2 drone — a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle — at Chalakere in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district.

According to media reports, the drone is being developed on the lines of US predator drones to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance roles for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours, officials said.

The Indians have also claimed that its premier defence research institute Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has manufactured drones but observers have claimed that India has used the US technology for the purpose.

“The DRDO successfully flew its Rustom-2 today at its aeronautical test range 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,” a statement read. The DRDO said the test flight was “successful” and all its parameters were “normal”.

Rustom-2 is capable of carrying different combinations of payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness payloads, officials said.

The organisation’s chairman S Christopher, its Director General of Aeronautical System CP Ramanarayanan, DG Electronics and Communication Systems J Manjula and other senior scientists witnessed the test flight.

The around Rs1,500-crore UAV project was initiated considering requirement of the army, the navy and the air force.