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.
