The DRDO's Compact Airborne Multisensor Optronic Payload was displayed at the Aero India 2023 show in Bangalore. (Janes/Sheikh Akhter)
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) payload for airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles.
Speaking to Janes at the Aero India 2023 show held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February, a DRDO official said the new payload has been tested on the Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance-Beyond Horizon-201 (TAPAS BH-201) medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The EO/IR payload – named Compact Airborne Multisensor Optronic Payload (CAMOP) – has been developed by the DRDO's Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE). It was displayed at Aero India 2023.
CAMOP is configurable for all types of airborne platforms. It is a stabilised, compact, multisensor package capable of day and night operations. It comprises an eye-safe laser rangefinder, target illumination and pointer, and high-definition (HD) payloads. CAMOP has a recognition range of up to 40 km and weighs 55 kg.
The TAPAS BH-201 is a multimission UAV being developed with an endurance of 24 hours to carry out ISR roles for the Indian Armed Forces. The platform is still in developmental stage. The project was conceptualised in 2016 and its development is expected to be complete by 2023.
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