Airship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS)

Why in News?

Recently, Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched the AS‑HAPS programme to develop unmanned air platforms capable of operating in the stratosphere (20–30 km altitude) for extended periods.

• Aim – To provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) at significantly lower cost than satellites.

Programme Highlights

• Lead Agency – Directorate of Operations (Remote), of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Procurement Framework – Executed under Make‑I, with the Centre funding up to 70% of development costs for a prototype to selected industry partners.
• Prototype airship – To carry out optical surveillance, electronic intelligence gathering and long-range communications. 
• Operating altitude – Operates between high‑altitude drones (12 km) and low‑Earth orbit satellites (500–2,000 km).
• Design – Steerable airship, repositionable over areas of interest.
• Payloads – An array of sensors, radars and electro‑optical systems for long-range surveillance planned to develop domestically.
• Additional Plans – Fixed‑wing HAPS for conventional take-off and extended surveillance missions.

Global Context

• Europe – EUROHAPS project in prototype stage; Thales Alenia’s Stratobus targets early 2030s.
• US – Tested high‑altitude airships; none operational.
• China – High‑altitude balloons spotted worldwide, including over India; believed to be pursuing military‑grade AS‑HAPS.

Significance

• Persistent ISR – Long‑duration surveillance without satellite costs.
• Data Relay – Bridges ground networks and satellites.
• National Security – Enhances India’s surveillance and communication capabilities.

Reference

Business-standard | AS-HAPS