DRDO's indigenous High-Altitude Platform reaches 21 km altitude in flight trial
DRDO carried out a successful flight trial of its indigenous High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), a lighter-than-air stratospheric surveillance system that reached 21 km and stayed at 20 km for over 30 minutes, the Defence Ministry said on 6 October 2026.
Summary
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out a successful flight trial of its indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), the Ministry of Defence said on 6 October 2026. The experimental flight reached 21 km above mean sea level and remained at 20 km for more than 30 minutes before it was commanded to descend and was recovered. HAPS is a lighter-than-air, long-endurance stratospheric aerial surveillance platform being developed by ADRDE, Agra, and the trial was coordinated with the IAF, CEMILAC, DGCA and the Airports Authority of India.
Key facts
- System
- High-Altitude Platform (HAPS)
- Type
- Lighter-than-air, long-endurance stratospheric surveillance platform (airship)
- Peak altitude
- 21 km AMSL
- Endurance in trial
- Over 30 minutes at 20 km
- Developer
- ADRDE, Agra (DRDO)
- Coordinating agencies
- IAF, CEMILAC, DGCA, Airports Authority of India
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In its flight trial announced in October 2026, DRDO's High-Altitude Platform (HAPS) attained a maximum altitude of:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 21 km above mean sea level
Consider the following statements about DRDO's High-Altitude Platform (HAPS): 1. HAPS is a lighter-than-air, long-endurance stratospheric aerial surveillance platform. 2. HAPS is being designed and developed by ADRDE, Agra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2