Chennai- based start-up Garuda Aerospace unveiled its latest tech marvel SURAJ, a solar-powered drone, designed specifically for surveillance operations, at Aero India 2023.Dr Satheesh Reddy, former DRDO chairman and current principal scientific advisor to the defence minister unveiled the drone.
SURAJ is an ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) high-altitude drone designed specifically for surveillance operations, providing “real-time information to the high command and protecting Jawans on the ground.”
The drone’s unique J-shaped wings are equipped with solar-powered cells that serve as its primary fuel source, while an auxiliary battery provides additional propulsion or decreased speed as required. The drone will carry a versatile payload of high-resolution zoom cameras with thermal imagery and foliage-penetrating lidar sensors with a maximum capacity of 10 kg. This cutting-edge technology will capture, process, and transmit photos and videos in real time. It has an endurance of 12 hours and can fly at an altitude of 3000 ft.
The drone is all set to support various Indian and global giants namely the Indian Army, Navy, Airforce, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, DRDO, MOD, and MHA, the company said in a release.
Recently, Garuda Aerospace raised $22 million, one of the largest Series A funding in the drone sector. The funds will be used in the development of a 1:1 prototype of SURAJ which will be ready to fly by August 2023.
Dhoni had unveiled a camera drone called ‘Droni’ at The Global Drone Expo in Chennai and became the firm’s Brand Ambassador of the company. The company is focused on two major multi-billion-dollar sectors—Precision Agri Tech and Industry 4.0 upgradation.
Founded in 2015 with a team of five members, Garuda today has 200 plus people and has a fleet of over 400 drones and 500 pilots operating across 84 cities in the country. Garuda Aerospace manufactures 30 types of drones and offers 50 types of services. It has served more than 750 clients including TATA, Godrej, Adani, Reliance, Swiggy, Flipkart, Delhivery, L&T, Survey of India, SAIL, NTPC, IOCL, Smart cities, Intel, Amazon, Wipro, IISC, MIT Boston, NHAI for various projects. The company has also recently partnered with global companies such as Lockheed Martin, Cognizant and Elbit Systems. The company has also got DGCA approvals for Type Certification and Remote Pilot Training Organisation.
