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Garuda Aerospace Unveils SURAJ Solar-Powered Drone

Chennai-based Garuda Aerospace unveiled a model of an unmanned solar-powered high-altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aerial J-Glider platform named Suraj  at the Aero India 2023 show.

The HAPS unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is being developed by the company under the guidance of India’s National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The Suraj model unveiled at Aero India 2023 featured two pod-like structures that accommodate a propulsion system driving two-bladed propellers in tractor configuration, high-mounted wings that have a span of 26 ft, and twin tails incorporating control surfaces.

The upper surface of the wings is equipped with an array of solar cells. The UAV also has an auxiliary battery for further thrust and has an estimated flight endurance of 12 hours.

Suraj is capable of carrying payloads up to 10 kg. The payloads can include light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and thermal imaging sensors. It has a bionic chip, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for real-time processing.

“SURAJ will have ISR capability and will be equipped with Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and bionic chip for advanced real-time processing,’‘

said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace.

Satheesh Reddy, former DRDO chairman and current Principal Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, unveiled the drone. Garuda Aerospace was guided by NAL, DRDO, and scientists on the development of the SURAJ drone.

Garuda Aerospace recently raised $22 million in funding to develop a 1:1 prototype of SURAJ, which would be ready to fly by August 2023.

Photo: Janes/Amit Kalra