Why is it in the news?

• India conducted a successful flight test of the High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) named ABHYAS.
• The test was carried out from the integrated test range in Chandipur, located off the coast of Odisha.

About ABHYAS

• It is indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).
• It is designed as an expendable aerial target to simulate realistic threat scenarios for the practice of weapon systems.
• It is capable of autonomous flying with the help of an autopilot system, allowing for efficient training exercises.
• The system is equipped with Radar Cross Section, Visual, and Infrared augmentation systems, essential for simulating various types of threats.
• It includes a laptop-based Ground Control System, enabling integration with the aircraft, pre-flight checks, data recording during the flight, replay after the flight, and post-flight analysis.
• ABHYAS requires minimal logistics support, making it a cost-effective solution compared to imported equivalents.
• Developed entirely within India by DRDO’s ADE, ABHYAS represents a significant achievement in indigenous defence technology development. This aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing and reducing dependency on foreign imports.