TAPAS drones

Current Context : The Indian Air Force (IAF) proposed to purchase of 10 TAPAS drones to Enhance Surveillance Capabilities.

ABOUT TAPAS UAV:

• The Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance (TAPAS) drones are classified as medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones.
• It was previously referred to as Rustom-II.
• Developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Designed to fulfil the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Tracking & Reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements of the tri-services, the Tapas UAV can effectively operate both day and night.

FEATURES:

• It has an operating altitude of 30000 feet and an endurance of 24 hours.
• Range : 250 km, which can carry a variety of payloads up to a maximum of 350 kg with a wing span of 6 metres.
• Speed: 225 kmph.
• It can be controlled remotely.
• Technology : It is equipped with enhanced aerodynamic configuration, digital flight control, navigation system and synthetic aperture radar that will enable it to see through the clouds.