What is the name of the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone discussed at the Drone Industry Conclave 2025?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I Official Paper (Held On: 06 Jun, 2025 Shift 3)

Answer 1

The correct answer is TAPAS.

Key Points

TAPAS is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in India.
The UAV is designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering over extended periods.
TAPAS was showcased at the Drone Industry Conclave 2025 as a significant step towards India's self-reliance in drone technology.
It can operate at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet and has an endurance of over 24 hours, making it suitable for both military and civilian applications.
The drone integrates advanced systems such as electro-optical payloads, synthetic aperture radar, and satellite communication capabilities.

Additional Information

Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs
- MALE UAVs are designed to operate at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 feet.
- These drones are capable of long-duration flights, often exceeding 24 hours, making them ideal for extended missions.
- They are widely used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering, particularly in defense and border monitoring.
DRDO's Role in UAV Development
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is India's premier research agency focused on defense technology.
- It has developed several UAVs, including TAPAS, RUSTOM, and NETRA, to strengthen India's indigenous drone capabilities.
- DRDO collaborates with other agencies and private industries to integrate cutting-edge technologies into its UAV projects.
Applications of TAPAS
- Military: Border surveillance, anti-terror operations, and intelligence gathering.
- Civilian: Disaster management, agriculture monitoring, and search-and-rescue operations.
- Scientific: Environmental data collection and weather monitoring.
Other UAVs Developed by DRDO
- RUSTOM: Another MALE UAV designed for tactical missions and surveillance.
- NETRA: A small quadcopter UAV used for surveillance in urban areas.
- AURA: An autonomous stealth UAV under development for advanced military applications.