Garuda Aerospace, a drone startup, presented its solar-powered "SURAJ" drone here at Aero India 2023, which is intended exclusively for surveillance activities. Dr. Satheesh Reddy, former head of DRDO and principal scientific advisor to the defence minister, unveiled it. SURAJ, an ISR high-altitude drone created exclusively for surveillance operations, according to the firm, "provides real-time intelligence to the high command and protects jawans on the ground."
The drone's distinctive J-shaped wings are fitted with solar cells that act as its main fuel source, with an auxiliary battery acting as needed to increase or decrease propulsion. The drone can carry up to 10 kg of configurable cargo, including
high-resolution zoom cameras with thermal imaging and lidar sensors that can penetrate foliage. The start-up claimed that this state-of-the-art technology will take, process, and transmit pictures and videos in real-time, guaranteeing that the headquarters and base have access to crucial data before formulating strategic operations and terms. It can fly at a height of 3000 feet and has a 12-hour endurance. According to a press statement from the corporation, the drone is ready to help a number of Indian and international juggernauts, including the Indian Army, Navy, Airforce, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, DRDO, MOD, and MHA. Garuda Aerospace just secured USD 22 million in finance, the "biggest ever" Series A round in the drone industry.
Therefore, it added, "The funding will contribute in the development of a 1:1 prototype of SURAJ, which will be prepared for flight by August 2023." "The SURAJ drone from Garuda Aerospace will aid in offering cutting-edge solutions for military and security support, such as real-time monitoring. NAL, DRDO, and a number of other scientists are advising Garuda Aerospace on the development of the SURAJ drone "Agnishwar Jayaprakash, the founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said.
"We are sure that the SURAJ drone will be essential in maintaining the safety of our people and our country. SURAJ will be capable of ISR and have a bionic chip, AI, and machine learning for advanced real-time processing ".
