DRDO conducts maiden flight-trials of Stratospheric Airship Platform (SAP) | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
News Today Logo

DRDO conducts maiden flight-trials of Stratospheric Airship Platform (SAP)

Posted 05 May 2025

2 min read

With the successful first flight tests of SAP by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India has joined the few countries to have an indigenous high-altitude platform system.

  • It has been developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra. 
  • It will enhance India’s earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) capability. 

About the Stratospheric Airship Platform (SAP)

  • It is a high-altitude, unmanned airship designed to operate in the stratosphere, typically between 17 to 22 kilometers above Earth.
  • It functions as a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) that can remain airborne for extended durations.
    • HAPS can be classified as aerodynamic (or heavier-than-air, e.g. fixed wing/airplanes) and aerostatic (or lighter-than-air, e.g. balloons and airships). 
  • Lift Mechanism: Uses helium for buoyancy
  • Power Source: Generally powered by solar energy with onboard batteries for night-time operation

Strategic Advantages of SAP

  • Unlike satellites or aircraft, it can stay over a specific area for days or weeks, providing persistent surveillance and communication support.
  • They can carry imaging sensors, radar, and telecom payloads, making them useful for border monitoring, disaster response, and intelligence missions.
  • They bridge the gap between drones and satellites, providing space-like coverage with faster deployment, lower costs, and more flexibility.
  • Tags :
  • HAPS
  • Stratospheric Airship Platform (SAP)
  • High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)
Watch News Today
Subscribe for Premium Features