The Indian Army may soon operate a drone that hovers over combat zones for hours, keeping the battlefield under constant watch.
The Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System (MAPSS) uses solar-electric propulsion, allowing it to stay aloft for hours without needing to land.
Its quiet electric propulsion and low thermal signature help it operate with a low-observable profile, ideal for intelligence gathering, artillery spotting, and battlefield overwatch.
Built by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT), the drone can also boost communications in connectivity-denied areas.
Recent tests at Chitradurga showed MAPSS can stay airborne for more than 24 hours at altitudes above 26,000 feet (8,000 meters), even under low-sunlight conditions.
Homegrown Drone Edge
MAPSS is India’s first solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle for the army, marking a step beyond battery-powered and tethered drones.
Funded under a 168 crore rupees ($20 million) contract through the Innovations for Defence Excellence program, it underscores the growing role of homegrown firms in supplying indigenous defense technology.
The drone builds on NRT’s High Altitude Pseudo Satellite program, leveraging rapid development milestones to boost endurance and operational performance.
“This validates years of focused research and development at NRT, building cutting-edge capabilities that rival global standards for next-generation warfare applications,” said NRT CEO Sameer Joshi, as quoted by ThePrint.
