DRDO Conducts Successful Maiden Flight of Indigenous Archer-NG MALE UAV

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully achieved a significant milestone with its Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) conducting the first flight of the Archer-NG Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This event marks an important step forward in India's indigenous drone development efforts.

Developed by DRDO in cooperation with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Archer-NG is a state-of-the-art UAV designed to offer advanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strike capabilities. The maiden flight, which came after extensive ground assessments and high-speed taxi trials, confirmed the UAV's structural strength, engine efficiency, and flight control mechanisms.

Featuring a single-engine twin-boom design, the Archer-NG weighs approximately 1,800 kg and can carry a payload of up to 400 kg. It has an endurance range of 24 to 29 hours and can reach a service ceiling of 30,000 feet, allowing for ongoing surveillance and extended missions crucial for the Indian Armed Forces.

The UAV is equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors (EO/IR), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and electronic warfare (EW) systems. It can also be armed with laser-guided bombs, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAW). With four external hardpoints, it is designed to quickly accommodate new payloads and future weapon systems, including the Astra Mk1 BVRAAM.

The UAV is powered by a domestically developed 177-horsepower turbocharged engine, which advances India's self-sufficiency in propulsion systems and enhances supply chain security. Its modular avionics design, along with an autonomous take-off and landing system, supports DRDO's vision for network-centric operations and compatibility with manned platforms.

The successful maiden flight of the Archer-NG represents a significant advancement in India's pursuit of strategic independence in unmanned aerial combat, building on the legacy of former DRDO UAV initiatives like TAPAS. Once equipped with weaponry, the Archer-NG is anticipated to become a versatile asset for combat and surveillance across the Indian Air Force, Navy, and Army, delivering superior endurance and strike capabilities within the MALE category.