DRDO’s Indigenous UAV TAPAS Crashes During Test Flight in Karnataka Village

New Delhi, August 20, 2023: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) suffered a crash during a test flight in a Karnataka village on Sunday, according to reports by PTI.

The UAV, designated as TAPAS 07 A-14, crashed in an agricultural field outside Vaddikere village in Hiriyur taluk. The incident attracted villagers’ attention due to the loud crash, prompting local authorities to respond.

Images and videos of the wreckage depicted the UAV, also known as the Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance – Beyond Horizon (TAPAS-BH), in a completely broken state with its equipment scattered across the field. Defence officials confirmed the incident, stating, “A Tapas drone being developed by the DRDO crashed during a trial flight in a village of Chitradurga district, Karnataka.”

The TAPAS UAV, which made its debut appearance at the Aero India air show and aviation display 2023, aims to address the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Tracking, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements of the armed forces.

Boasting a flight endurance exceeding 18 hours and capable of operating at altitudes up to 28,000 feet, TAPAS is designed for both autonomous and remote-controlled operations based on pre-programmed flight plans, accommodating day and night missions.

Defence officials noted that the DRDO is briefing the Defence Ministry regarding the incident, and an inquiry is underway to ascertain the specific reasons behind the crash.