Dr Jitendra Singh Launches Indigenous Hansa-3 NG Trainer Aircraft at CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL)

Key facts

• CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) developed the Hansa-3 NG as India's first all-composite airframe two-seater trainer aircraft for PPL and CPL training.
• Industry partner M/s Pioneer Clean Amps is setting up a facility at Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, to produce up to 100 Hansa-3 NG aircraft annually.
• CSIR-NAL is developing the 19-seater SARAS Mk-2 Light Transport Aircraft with pressurised cabin, digital avionics, glass cockpit, autopilot, and command-by-wire flight controls.
• Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Iron Bird Facility for SARAS Mk-2 for full-system integration and ground testing of aircraft subsystems.
• CSIR-NAL inaugurated a manufacturing facility for High Altitude Platforms (HAPs), solar-powered unmanned aircraft capable of flying above 20 km altitude.
• CSIR-NAL's subscale HAP vehicle achieved 7.5 km altitude and over 10 hours endurance, with full-scale flight to 20 km targeted for 2027.
• CSIR-NAL collaborated with M/s Solar Defence & Aerospace Ltd for 150-kg class Loitering Munition UAV powered by NAL’s certified Wankel engine.
• The Loitering Munition UAV features 900 km range, 6–9 hours endurance, 5 km service ceiling, GPS-denied navigation, low radar cross-section, and AI-enabled target identification.