Rustom-2

In News

Indigenous UAV Rustom-2   is expected to complete user trials by August 2023.

Significance and need 

• High endurance UAVs are a priority requirement for the armed forces especially in the standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh. 
• The armed forces rely heavily on the Israeli Searcher and Heron drones and need more such UAVs.

About Rustom-2

• It is an indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV.
• It  has been designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, with the production partners being HAL and Bharat Electronics Ltd. 
• It is being developed to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles and is capable of carrying different combinations of advanced payload and capable of auto landing, among others.
• In December 2021, Rustom-2 had crossed a milestone by reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet and an endurance of 10 hours. 
• In the past, Rustom-2 technologically matched the contemporary UAVs available and would also be cheaper than the imported ones while meeting the requirements of the three Services.

Source:TH