An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) crashed in Karnataka’s Vaddikere village on Sunday.
The UAV, TAPAS 07 A-14, was on a test flight when the incident occurred, reported PTI.
#WATCH | A Tapas drone being developed by the DRDO crashed today during a trial flight in a village of Chitradurga district, Karnataka. DRDO is briefing the Defence Ministry about the mishap and an inquiry is being carried out into the specific reasons behind the crash: Defence… pic.twitter.com/5YSfJHPxTw
— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2023
Villagers gathered at the crash site hearing loud noise. The videos and images that surfaced the social media shows the UAV is totally broken with its parts scattered in the agricultural field.
The police were immediately alerted of the incident.
"DRDO is briefing the Defence Ministry about the mishap and an inquiry is being carried out into the specific reasons behind the crash," Defence officials told ANI.
TAPAS (Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance) represents an indigenious medium altitude long endurance class unmanned aerial vehicle.
It was during the Aero India air show this year that TAPAS made its inaugural flight.
With a flight endurance of over 18 hours, the UAV can operate at altitudes reaching 28,000 feet, reported HT.
