High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) Abhyas

Why in news?

• Defence research and development organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight test of indigenously developed high-speed expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) Abhyas from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

About HEAT Abhyas:

• It is a drone (UAV) that will be used as a target for evaluation of various Missile systems.
• It is designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru.
• It is powered by a gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at subsonic speed.
• The target aircraft is equipped with Micro-electromechanical (MEMS) based Inertial Navigation System (INS) for navigation along with the Flight Control Computer (FCC) for guidance and control.
  • MEMS is a process technology used to create tiny integrated devices or systems that combine mechanical and electrical components.
  • It is lightweight and reliable, consumes less power and is cost-effective.
• The vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight. The check-out of air vehicle is done using laptop-based Ground Control Station (GCS).

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding HEAT Abhyas:

1. It is a drone (UAV) that will be used as a target for evaluation of various Missile systems

2. It is designed and developed by DRDO

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer