Rudrastra
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| Rudrastra | |
|---|---|
| Role | Unmanned aerial vehicle |
| National origin | India |
| Manufacturer | Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited |
The Rudrastra is a hybrid vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (VTOL-UAV) that is designed domestically by Indian private sector company Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited, based in Nagpur. Once the mission is complete, it is expected to return to the original launch location after penetrating deep into enemy territory. Rudrastra is capable of hitting enemy soldiers and taking down tanks and armored vehicles.[1] It is intended for use in cross-border attacks to destroy enemy artillery sites.[2] Features of Rudrastra include precision targeting, long-range operations, and real-time observation, surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering. Rudrastra is developed to strengthen India's military strength and tackle security issues in the South Asian region, especially along the Pakistani border to the west.[3][4][5]
Description
[edit]Engineered and built by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited, based in Nagpur, the Rudrastra is a hybrid vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (VTOL-UAV). With 8 kg of ammunition, it can fly within a 50 km radius. It is a longer range UAV, that can enter enemy territory to perform deep penetration strikes while relaying live operational video, and then return to its launch location under autonomous mode. The current iteration can destroy tanks, armored vehicles and combat troops. With an estimated endurance time of 1.5 hours, Rudrastra's maximum range, including loitering range, exceeds 170 km. Rudrastra uses an airburst anti-personnel payload that is precisely guided to target enemy forces.[1][2] Because VTOL UAVs can take off and land vertically without the use of runways, they are useful and adaptable for specialized tasks like mapping, distribution, and surveillance, particularly in challenging terrain.[6]
Rudrastra is flexible and difficult-to-spot. It can take off like a helicopter and cruise like an airplane. It can carry smart warheads. The Indian Army intends to purchase a significant quantity of these drones.[7][8] It doesn't require runways because it can land vertically.[9] The drone will be used as stand-off weapons by the Indian Army.[10]
Trial
[edit]Following the conclusion of the company's internal assessment, the Indian Army conducted multiple tests of Rudrastra in Pokhran Field Firing Range on 11 June 2025, to test for characteristics such as vertical takeoff and landing, high endurance, precise targeting, and mission flexibility.[11][1] The goal is to fulfill mission criteria, which include eliminating enemy positions that offer cover fire for infiltration attempts and terrorist infrastructure.[2] Rudrastra demonstrated dependable performance throughout the trials, functioning over a mission radius of more than 50 kilometers while sustaining a steady real-time video communication. The UAV successfully finished the mission and made a smooth return to its launch location.[6] Rudrastra, which was built for precision targeting as well as observation, demonstrated its capacity to hover in target locations and engage accurately.[12][5]
In the direction of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, this successful trial served as an example of mission-neutral design.[13] Taxi trials for 180–220 horsepower domestic engines were finished earlier in February 2025.[14]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Arya, Shishir (2025-06-14). "More firepower: Hybrid vertical take-off UAV successfully tested at Pokhran range; all you need to know". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ a b c Pubby, Manu (2025-06-13). "Army successfully tests Rudrastra". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ "SDAL tests indigenous UAV 'Rudrastra' in Pokharan". ETManufacturing.in. 2025-06-13. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ "India successfully tests indigenous UAV 'Rudrastra' in Jaisalmer". Sakshi Post. 2025-06-12. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ a b "Indian Army's big leap in drone warfare: VTOL UAV Rudrastra shows deadly precision strike capabilities". The Week. 2025-06-13. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ a b Sharma, Shivani (2025-06-12). "Army conducts successful trials of hybrid UAV drone Rudrastra in Pokharan". India Today. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ "What is Rudrastra? India's deadly VTOL drone that can loiter, lock, and eliminate from 50 km away". The Economic Times. 2025-06-13. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ Jeyya, Siby (2025-06-14). "Bad News For Pakistan as India Successfully Tests Rudrastra Drone That Can Strike Deep Inside". indiaherald.com. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ "Indian Army successfully tests indigenous 'Rudrastra' drone at Pokharan". myind.net. 2025-06-13. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ Qureshi, Tahir (2025-06-13). "More bad news for Pak, China, Bangladesh as India successfully tests indigenous Rudrastra drone that can destroy enemies…, can strike deep inside…". india.com. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ Banerjee, Abhro (2025-06-12). "Rudrastra UAV Clears Key Army Trial At Pokharan, Showcases Precision Strike And 170-km Range". News18. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ Tanwar, Suryaveer Singh (2025-06-13). "Hybrid indigenous VTOL UAV Rudrastra successfully tested". firstindia.co.in. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ "SDAL completes testing of in-house Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra in Pokhran". CNBCTV18. 2025-06-12. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ^ "Trial of indigenous Rudrastra UAV held successfully at Pokhran". The Times of India. 2025-06-12. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-14.