Successful High-Altitude Flight Demonstrates Potential for Military and Civilian Use

A Bengaluru-based company, NewSpace Research and Technologies, has claimed a successful test of a 100-kg Max Take Off Weight (MTOW) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) at the Umling La pass in Ladakh, the world’s highest motorable pass at an altitude of 19,024 feet. This MTOW includes the combined weight of the drone and its payload.

Record-Breaking Achievement at High Altitude

On Tuesday, NewSpace conducted a test flight, demonstrating the drone's ability to carry a 25-kg payload from the 5,800m high pass. The drone achieved a flight altitude of 6,200m, surpassing the performance of China’s DJI FlyCart 30 drone, which was tested at Mount Everest base camp in April 2024.

According to the reports, NewSpace CEO Sameer Joshi, a former IAF fighter pilot, claimed this flight sets a new world record for high-altitude operations in the 100-kg MTOW class. He emphasized the value of their drone for both civilian and military applications, citing significant cost savings for high-altitude operations compared to traditional manned flights.

Implications for Defense and Logistics

The NewSpace drone could enhance the Ministry of Defence’s air maintenance sorties at high altitudes, offering a cost-effective alternative to helicopters like the Cheetah, which carries similar loads at much higher costs. With ongoing tensions between China and India in the Himalayas, both countries' private companies are intensifying efforts to develop advanced logistics drones.