Following the criticism on social media in May over the launch of the Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) prototype, the company has announced the successful maiden flight of India’s first indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B. The announcement was made during a press conference at Fortune Park JP Celestial in Bengaluru, where the first flight was showcased through a video screening.
Equipping India with modern defense capabilities, the UAV is classified as a Medium Altitude 15000 ft., Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) . The FWD 200B has optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing. It can also be utilized in natural disaster relief efforts.
FWD 200B’s first flight represents the fulfillment of India’s long-awaited dream of producing a combat UAV domestically is 90% indigenous.
Speaking at the event, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder & CEO of FWDA, expressed, “India is the world’s largest importer of arms in the last five years, and has often paid up to ten times the cost for military technology from countries like the US and Israel. The successful flight of the FWD 200B is not just an achievement for our company, but a victory for the entire nation.”
“Making India self-reliant, this landmark achievement follows years of persistent efforts to develop a combat UAV indigenously, overcoming challenges that had previously hindered similar initiatives by leading defense agencies,” he added.
The aircraft’s aerodynamics design, airframe, propulsion systems, control systems, and electronics are all made in India at FWDA’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of 12,000 sq. ft built on 1.5-acre land, located at Electronic City, Bengaluru.
FWD 200B features a wingspan of 5 meters (16.4 feet) and a length of 3.5 meters (12.1 feet), making it compact yet powerful. Despite its size, the aircraft boasts an impressive Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 102 kg and can carry a payload capacity of 30 kg, making it capable of conducting significant missions with precision.
Operating at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet and reaching an absolute ceiling of 15,000 feet, the FWD 200B can fly at a cruise speed of 152 km/h, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h. Its operational versatility is further highlighted by its runway requirement of just 300 meters, allowing it to operate from shorter airstrips. With an endurance of 7 hours and a range of 800 km, the FWD 200B ensures extended mission capabilities, providing substantial coverage without the need for frequent refueling or landing.
Leaping India’s defense technologies, the unmanned bomber aircraft is said to be available at a tenth of the cost of imported US Predator drones. FWD 200B pegged to be the Nation’s eagle eye is a demonstration of India’s capability to produce world-class defence technology and marks the beginning of a new era of indigenous military technology where our country stands as a leader in unmanned aerial systems reducing reliance on expensive drone imports. The company also plans to launch a 12-meter wingspan aircraft soon.