Indonesia’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has announced the successful maiden flight of its Elang Hitam (Black Eagle) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone took off on 28 July from West Java International Airport (BIJB) in Majalengka. According to PTDI, the flight marks a significant milestone in the UAV’s development process.
Designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the Elang Hitam features an open, modular system architecture intended to accommodate future upgrades and mission-specific modifications. The platform is capable of flying up to 24 hours at altitudes reaching 20,000 feet.
The UAV is the product of a collaborative development effort led by PTDI and supported by several Indonesian institutions, including the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), and the Bandung Institute of Technology. The Ministry of Defense and the Indonesian Air Force have also contributed to the program.
Moh Arif Faisal, PTDI’s Director of Commerce, Technology, and Development, said the test flight was aimed at validating key technologies integrated into the drone, including system configuration, automated flight control, and long-range communication. He added that the test results will serve as a reference point for future development of MALE-class UAVs aligned with national defense objectives.
A Kodiak aircraft owned by PTDI accompanied the UAV as a chase plane during the flight to monitor performance and ensure safety. The company noted that further testing will be conducted before the aircraft can receive certification from the relevant regulatory authorities.
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