Why is it in the News?

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar officially initiated the maiden indigenously produced Drishti 10 'Starliner' Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the Indian Navy.

What is Drishti 10 Starliner UAV?

• Drishti 10 Starliner Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, developed by Adani Defence and Aerospace, and represents a significant leap forward in India’s defence technology.
• The Drishti 10 Starliner boasts an impressive 36 hours of endurance and a substantial 450 kg payload capacity.
• It stands out as the only all-weather military platform certified with NATO’s STANAG 4671 (standardized agreement 4671) for airworthiness, allowing it to operate in both segregated and unsegregated airspace.
• The UAV is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, an extended endurance of 36 hours, and advanced communication capabilities.
• Its incorporation of new-age technologies such as Automatic Take Off and Landing (ATOL) positions it as a formidable asset.
• Notably, this UAV is a home-assembled version of the Hermes-900 MALE UAV, featuring an impressive 70% indigenous content.
• A notable feature of the Drishti 10 'Starliner' is its low maintenance demands, contributing to cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.
  • This quality enhances operational readiness, minimizing downtime and optimizing deployment opportunities.
• The Drishti 10 is outfitted with cutting-edge communication systems, encompassing satellite communication and Line-of-Sight (LOS) data links, guaranteeing dependable and secure data transmission.

What is Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)?

• A drone, also referred to as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is an aircraft that operates without a human pilot, crew, or passengers on board.
• UAVs are integral components of unmanned aircraft systems, comprising a ground-based controller and a communication system linked with the UAV.

Drones are categorized based on their weight, adhering to existing regulations:

• Nano: Equal to or less than 250 grams
• Micro: Between 250 grams and 2 kilograms
• Small: From 2 kilograms to 25 kilograms
• Medium: Between 25 kilograms and 150 kilograms
• Large: Exceeding 150 kilograms