Chitradurga (Karnataka): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday successfully conducted the maiden test flight in user configuration of its indigenously manufactured Drone, Rustom-2 in Chitradurga.
The test flight was conducted in an Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) located in Chitradurga’s Chalakere area.
This flight assumes significance due to the fact that this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine.
The 9.5 metres long drone which stands 2.4 metres tall, a wingspan of 20.6 metres, and has a capability to fly at 280 Km/hr; which is propelled by two 3-bladed NPO saturn engines.
The drone, which will be developed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, can fly well over 22,000 ft and is a long-endurance UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) that has an approximate flight time of 20 hours.(ANI)