India's first unmanned bomber aircraft takes to the skies
What's the story
Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA), a Bengaluru-based company, has announced the successful inaugural flight of the first indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B.
The aircraft is classified as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
It is equipped with optical payloads for surveillance purposes, and missile-like weapons for airstrikes and bombing missions.
Indigenous creation
A product of Indian innovation and technology
The FWD 200B is a testament to Indian innovation and technology, with all its components being manufactured in India.
The aircraft's aerodynamics design, airframe, propulsion systems, control systems, and electronics were all developed at FWDA's advanced manufacturing facility in Electronic City, Bengaluru.
This state-of-the-art facility spans over an area of 12,000 sq.ft on a 1.5 acre land parcel.
Aircraft features
A look at the specifications
The FWD 200B boasts a wingspan of five meters and measures 3.5 meters in length.
It has a maximum take-off weight of 102kg and can carry a payload up to 30kg.
The aircraft is capable of flying at a cruising speed of 152km/h, with its top speed reaching up to 250km/h.
Interestingly, it requires just a short runway of only 300 meters for operations, making it suitable for deployment from smaller airstrips.
Range
FWD 200B offers extended mission capabilities
The FWD 200B is designed for extended missions with a range of up to 800km, and an endurance of seven hours.
This feature allows it to cover substantial distances without requiring frequent refueling or landing.
"With an endurance of seven hours and a range of 800km, the FWD 200B ensures extended mission capabilities, providing substantial coverage without the need for frequent refueling or landing," said Suhas Tejaskanda, founder and CEO of FWDA.