Archer UAV DRDO: Everything you need to know

Published: Tuesday, August 31, 2021

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has begun the development of an “Archer” medium-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) powered by a Turbojet engine. The specs for the new UAV were revealed when the DRDO published an Expression of Interest (EOI) tender for four prototypes that it plans to build with Private Players.

The Archer UAV will be lighter than the Rustom-I UAV, which was created as a Technological Demonstrator (TD) for the Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance-Beyond Horizon-201, also known as Tapas BH-201 long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle program.

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Archer UAV is believed to be an armed surveillance drone, although this cannot be confirmed yet. The DRDO tested the Rustom-I with fake air-to-surface missiles for a possible combat role, but the program was never implemented.

The first Archer UAV will be available within a year of the contract being awarded, with three additional prototypes scheduled for testing and flight certifications. Tender anticipates a first manufacturing order of 20 units.

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This type of medium-sized drone is also used for precise tactical reconnaissance, hit ground targets including high-value targets and bunkers, guide artillery fire, and conduct patrol missions in sensitive areas such as border and conflict regions, with a combat radius of more than 200 kilometers and a ceiling of 5,000 meters.

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Source: IDRW NEWS NETWORK