NAL/ADE Pushpak
A joint DRDO-NAL micro air vehicle technology demonstrator.
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The NAL/ADE Pushpak is an unmanned Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) technology demonstrator developed jointly by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) of CSIRI. It is one of the airframe designs being pursued under the National Program on Micro Air Vehicles (NP-MICAV). The Pushpak is notable for its dihedral delta platform shape, pusher configuration, and nose-mounted payload, which contribute to cleaner aerodynamics and low wing loading.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Unmanned Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) technology demonstrator
- Developers
- Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) of CSIRI
- Airframe material
- GF/Kevlar
- Configuration
- Fixed-wing
- pusher
- dihedral delta platform
- Flight endurance
- Half hour
- Operational range
- 2 km / 6,562 ft
- Altitude for video
- 100 m / 328 ft
- Navigation
- GPS positioning system for trajectory tracking
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Pushpak was developed as part of the National Program on Micro Air Vehicles (NP-MICAV), a collaborative effort between the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) of CSIRI. Its airframe is constructed from GF/Kevlar and features a dihedral delta platform shape, with the propeller mounted behind the motor in a pusher configuration. This design emphasizes cleaner aerodynamics, nose-mounted payload, high endurance, and low wing loading.
The vehicle is powered by an electric motor and carries a small camera capable of recording activities on the ground. It has an operational range of 2 km and can capture video from an altitude of 100 m.
The Pushpak is remotely radio-controlled and is also equipped with an autopilot. A high-tech GPS positioning system allows it to track its trajectory and destination using the shortest path and most secure trajectories. As of 2012, prototypes were under flight trials.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: NAL/ADE Pushpak (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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