Current Affairs - Defence - Discussion

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden flight of its Stratospheric Airship Platform at an altitude of approximately 17 kilometres. This high-altitude test was a key step toward advancing India’s capabilities in persistent earth observation and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The platform operates in the stratosphere, which spans from around 17 km to 50 km above Earth. As a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS), the airship offers unique advantages over traditional satellites and aircraft by maintaining prolonged coverage over specific areas. This successful trial lays the foundation for future development of stratospheric surveillance and communication platforms.