Why in news?
The Defence Acquisition Council recently granted acceptance of necessity to procure an Air‑Ship Based High‑Altitude Pseudo‑Satellite system for the Indian Air Force. This new platform is intended to provide continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic intelligence and telecommunication support over remote areas.
Background
High‑altitude pseudo‑satellites (HAPS) are unmanned airships, balloons or fixed‑wing aircraft that operate in the stratosphere, roughly 20–50 kilometres above Earth. They combine the persistence of satellites with the flexibility of drones, staying aloft for weeks or months while hovering over a region. Unlike satellites, HAPS can be repositioned, upgraded or recovered for maintenance.
How AS‑HAPS works
- Platform: AS‑HAPS uses a solar‑powered airship that ascends to the stratosphere and maintains its position using small propulsion units. Solar panels generate electricity during the day, while batteries store energy for night‑time operations.
- Payloads: The airship carries cameras, radars, communication repeaters and electronic intelligence sensors. Its high altitude allows it to cover a wide area with high resolution.
- Control and deployment: Ground stations monitor and control the airship remotely. It can be launched from open terrain and recovered for maintenance or redeployment.
Benefits
- Persistent surveillance: Remaining above the weather, AS‑HAPS can watch border zones or disaster areas continuously for long periods, overcoming the limitations of satellites that orbit past periodically.
- Flexible and cost‑effective: HAPS platforms are easier to develop and deploy than traditional satellites. They can be repositioned quickly and upgraded with new sensors.
- Multipurpose applications: In addition to defence uses, pseudo‑satellites can support telecommunications, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, disaster relief and rural connectivity.
Significance for India
- Border security: Persistent ISR will help monitor remote borders, detect intrusions and support troop movements.
- Communication bridge: By acting as airborne repeaters, AS‑HAPS can provide emergency communication links in mountainous areas where ground infrastructure is weak.
- Indigenous capability: Developing HAPS technology domestically supports self‑reliance in aerospace and reduces dependence on foreign satellites.
Conclusion
AS‑HAPS represents a novel class of stratospheric platforms that can fill the gap between drones and satellites. If successfully developed, it could transform how India watches its borders, responds to disasters and extends communications to remote corners.
Sources: SM
