Rustom-2, the medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) being developed by the DRDO, is scheduled to make its first flight in February 2014, according to the Defence Minister A.K. Antony. He informed the Parliament recently that development of other UAVs are included in the 12th Five Year Plan proposal.

Designing of Rustom-2 is complete and purchase orders have been placed, ADE Director P.S. Krishnan had told press in February this year during the two-day international Conference on Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles. Ten Rustom-2 UAVs and spare vehicles are scheduled to be completed by August 2017. The UAV is budgeted to weigh 1.8 tonnes with a payload of 350 kg. It is designed to acquire a wing span of 21-odd metres and an endurance of above 24 hours.

The UAV can attain a maximum speed of 150 knots, 22,000 ft of altitude and endurance of 12-15 hours with an operating range of 250 km when fully developed.