Defence PSU HAL To Develop Futuristic High Altitude Pseudo Satellite To Assist Armed Forces In Strike Missions

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), in partnership with a Bengaluru based start-up, would soon get the approval to develop a futuristic High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS).

Sources told The Hans India that HAL is already working on its design and would take around three to four years to develop HAPS before being inducted.

"The approval will come and it will take a minimum of 3-4 years to develop HAPS before it is inducted. HAL is already working on its design. It is a giant leap in technology. It will weigh more than 500 kg, will be solar energised and can fly at 70,000 feet and stay there for months," sources said.

The plan to develop the High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) was revealed during Aero India. The solar-powered unmanned aircraft HAPS operates in the stratosphere at an altitude of 70,000 feet.

They are designed to bridge the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and conventional satellites. They could coordinate in strike missions providing communication to the troops with live video feeds and images.