DRDO high-altitude platform reaches 21 km in flight trial
The lighter-than-air system stayed at 20 km for more than 30 minutes.
Contextual image: stratospheric microballoon, not DRDO’s tested platform. Photograph: Leidichj / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Uploaded without edits; the theme may crop previews.
The lighter-than-air system stayed at 20 km for more than 30 minutes.
DRDO announced the successful indigenous platform trial on 6 October 2026. The system reached 21 km above mean sea level and was recovered after a commanded descent. ADRDE, Agra, is developing it for long-endurance aerial surveillance. The announcement does not give a separate trial date.
Official announcement: 6 October 2026, 3:33 PM IST.
