DRDO Kapothaka

Kapothaka
General information
TypeExperimental reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin
India
Designer

Kapothaka was an Indian experimental unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) for aerial reconnaissance. Its name, also spelled Kapothaha, means "dove".

Development

The Kapothaka programme began during the 1980s. The aircraft was used to test the feasibility of an indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle system.

Design

Kapothaka was powered by a 26 hp (19 kW) piston engine driving a pusher propeller. It was launched from a rail with rocket assistance.

The aircraft had a wingspan of 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) and a length of 3.67 m (12.0 ft). Its reported maximum speed was 180 km/h (110 mph), with an operating ceiling of 3,000 m (9,800 ft) and an endurance of 90 minutes. A report published by Rediff.com in 2000 described a planned endurance of 90 minutes with a payload of 20 kg (44 lb).

See also

References

  1. ↑ Warrier, B. S. (24 September 2012). "Air dominance strategies". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Indian UAVs (Report). Forecast International. July 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Gokhale, B. N. (February 2010). "Usher Aerial Vigilance" (PDF). SP's Aviation. pp. 23–25. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  4. ↑ Riti, M. D. "Spies in the sky". Rediff.com. Retrieved 15 October 2026.