India successfully flight-tests ABHYAS

Context

India successfully flight-tested the indigenously developed high-speed expendable aerial target (HEAT), ABHYAS, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the Odisha coast.

What is ABHYAS?

• ABHYAS is designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The air vehicle was launched using twin under-slung boosters, which provide the initial acceleration to the vehicle. 
• It is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at high subsonic speed.
• ABHYAS – High speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) consists of twin under-slung boosters which provide the initial acceleration to the vehicle.
• Further, the aerial vehicle is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at high subsonic speed.
• The vehicle can be used as an aerial target for evaluation of various missile systems.