Indigenous Hydrogen-Powered Medium Altitude Heavy Lift Airship

planned

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched an initiative to build a hydrogen-powered, unmanned medium altitude heavy lift airship designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The airship will operate at altitudes up to 30,000 feet, with a payload capacity between 2,000 and 5,000 kilograms, and is intended to stay airborne continuously for extended periods, with a minimum flight time of 10 days and a goal of up to 30 days. It will use a hybrid power system combining hydrogen fuel with solar panels or batteries, and will support communication ranges of at least 250 kilometers, satellite connectivity, and operate in GPS-denied environments using indigenous navigation systems. The airship will also be capable of autonomous vertical take-offs and landings (VTOL) from various terrains and is envisioned to serve as a flying base capable of launching unmanned drones and projectiles.