Garuda Aerospace unveils solar-powered drone SURAJ

Garuda Aerospace unveiled SURAJ, a solar-powered unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aerial J-Glider at the Aero India 2023 show.

SURAJ is an ISR high-altitude drone designed specifically for surveillance operations, providing real-time information to the high command, and protecting jawans on the ground. The drone is equipped with Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and bionic chip for advanced real-time processing.

The drone has a payload of high-resolution zoom cameras with thermal imagery and foliage-penetrating lidar sensors with a maximum capacity of 10 kg. It has an endurance of 12 hours and can fly at an altitude of 3,000 ft.

The drone is set to support the Indian Army, Navy, Airforce, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, DRDO, MOD, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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. The funds will be utilized to scale up and expand the company’s operation and to develop smart-drones with AI and ML technology, for the armed forces in collaboration with global companies for the defence and aerospace sector.