Archer-NG MALE UAV

From Astra Kosh, the AlphaDefense encyclopedia · Category: Unmanned Systems
Contents
  1. Design
  2. Sensors and Planned Weapons
  3. Testing Status
  4. Specifications
  5. Sources

Archer-NG (Next-Generation) is an indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle being developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in cooperation with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), designed to provide combined ISR and precision-strike capability, succeeding the TAPAS-BH-201 as India’s principal indigenous MALE UAV effort.[1]

Design

Archer-NG is a single-engine, twin-boom pusher-configuration UAV weighing approximately 1,800 kg with a payload capacity of up to 400 kg. It is powered by a domestically developed 177-horsepower turbocharged engine — a notable step toward Indian self-sufficiency in UAV propulsion — giving it an endurance of 24 to 29 hours (with some reporting up to 34 hours) and a service ceiling of roughly 30,000 ft. Its modular avionics architecture and autonomous take-off-and-landing system are designed to support network-centric, manned-unmanned teaming operations.[1][2]

Sensors and Planned Weapons

Reported sensor payloads include high-resolution electro-optical/infrared turrets and synthetic aperture radar, giving Archer-NG a comprehensive day/night, all-weather ISR capability. Weaponisation trials — intended to integrate anti-tank guided missiles, Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAW), and loitering munitions — are scheduled for 2027–2028, which would give the type a genuine armed MALE / “hunter-killer” role.[3]

Testing Status

Archer-NG completed high-speed taxi trials and achieved its maiden flight in October 2025. By March 2026 the programme had entered advanced flight-envelope expansion trials, progressively validating altitude, endurance and mission-profile performance ahead of induction.[2]

Specifications

Type Medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) ISR/strike UAV
Developer Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), DRDO, with HAL
Configuration Single-engine, twin-boom pusher
Weight / Payload ~1,800 kg / up to 400 kg
Engine Indigenous 177 hp turbocharged engine
Endurance 24–29 hours (up to 34 hrs reported)
Ceiling ~30,000 ft
Sensors EO/IR turret, synthetic aperture radar
Planned weapons ATGMs, SAAW, loitering munitions (trials 2027–2028)
Maiden flight October 2025
Status (mid-2026) Flight-envelope expansion trials underway

Sources

  1. SSBCrack, “DRDO Conducts Successful Maiden Flight of Indigenous Archer-NG MALE UAV.”
  2. Defence.in, “First Airborne Image of Archer-NG Highlights Optimized Design and SATCOM Integration.”
  3. The Week, “India’s surveillance specialist Archer-NG UAVs to become tank and jet killer.”