Defence scientists from India’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), a DRDO lab located in Agra, have begun the mission to develop India\u2019s yet-to-be-named airship.<\/p>\n
Deviating from DRDO\u2019s previous practice of launching an \u2018open study\u2019 ahead of any new project, the scientists are taking the \u2018production realisation\u2019 route in their effort to demonstrate the airship technology.<\/p>\n
Confirming the project, ADRDE director Dr S C Sati told Express that the lab hopes to finalise the design by the end of 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started the work eight months back and have drawn inspiration from our earlier Akashdeep aerostat project. The feasibility study for the unmanned airship is over and we are all set to enter the design phase.\u00a0 Specifications of sub-systems are being worked upon now,\u201d Sati said. While Akashdeep was successfully evaluated over the last couple of years, the ADRDE is now working on an advanced version – Nakshatra – said to be having higher payload and longer endurance.<\/p>\n
With a 22-m length, seven-metre diameter and weighing around 350 kg, the airship gives the option for both surveillance and tourism. \u201cBy developing Akashdeep, we learned the aerodynamics shape optimisation, fabrication technology and integration of payload and systems. Our biggest challenge will be to ensure that the airship streams continuous surveillance inputs even in worst turbulence scenario,\u201d Sati said.\u00a0 The DRDO has released a seed money of `19 crore for the technology development of the airship and promises to have its first flight in 2016. Once operational, India would join a select group of nations having developed such capabilities, including US, Germany, France and Japan. \u201cThe airship offers flexibility during surveillance missions, even over the sea,\u201d Sati added.<\/p>\n