The Rustom 1 UAV had its second successful flight recently. Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the “Rustom 1” has an endurance of 14 hours and can go up to an altitude of 8,000 metres.

Rustom 1 has been converted from a manned aircraft in to an unmanned aerial vehicle by removing the pilot seat and making required electrical, mechanical and aerodynamic modifications. The test flight was conducted at the airfield belonging to the Taneja Aerospace (TAAL) located near Hosur.

Many improvements have been carried out since the last flight, in terms of piloting, landing, taxiing etc. The flight was a precursor to the flight with payloads as required by the defence services. The complete sequence of events went off well to the total satisfaction of the scientists and technical personnel of the Bangalore’s Aeronautical Development Establishment who have developed the UAV. Lt Colonel Thappa from the Army was the external pilot for the total mission flight.

Dr Prahlada, Chief Controller, Research and Development (Aeronautics Programmes), said that ADE is geared up for integration of payloads with the UAV within the next three months, to demonstrate performance of payloads and necessary secure data-link to the users.