The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has inked a deal to design and develop ‘High Altitude Pseudo Satellite’ (HAPS) with the Bengaluru-based firm NewSpace Research & Technologies.
More about the deal
The deal for futuristic high-altitude pseudo satellite will be mentored under the Defence Ministry’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative.
- The programme will strengthen the country’s military strike capabilities and will see state-owned aerospace firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the lead prototype development partner.
- With the estimated budget of Rs 700 crores to develop the system, the initiative will be part of HALs Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) which seeks to integrate manned airborne platforms with swarm drones and a high altitude surveillance network.
What is High Altitude Pseudo Satellite’ (HAPS)
- The HAPS is being designed to undertake surveillance and communication duties for months and will encompass applications in the civilian domain in the future.
- Further, the UAV is being designed to cruise at an altitude of 70,000 feet, to maintain surveillance on the ground below. Further, it would rely on solar energy to power itself for months to a stretch.
- HAPS will weigh more than 500 kg and will utilise solar energy. It will be able to fly at a height of 70,000 feet and even stay there for months.
- The aircraft are designed to act as a bridge between the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and conventional satellites.
- The major applications of HAPS are in telecommunication and remote sensing sectors catering to both defence as well as civilian purposes.
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