LavadaDonald013 at 22:47, 8 November 2025

2025-11-08T22:47:26Z

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{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Kapothaka
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| aircraft_type = [[Reconnaissance]] [[UAV]]
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| national_origin = India
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| designer = [[Aeronautical Development Establishment]]
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| primary_user = [[Indian Army]]
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Kapothaka was a technology demonstrator mini-UAV for reconnaissance. The Kapothaka (also spelled Kapothaha) which means “dove” is believed to be a predecessor of [[DRDO Nishant|Nishant]] UAV system.

==History==
Following the successful deployment of a remotely piloted vehicle by Israel during Lebanon war in 1982 [[Aeronautical Development Establishment]] (ADE) undertook the development of a remotely piloted vehicle kapothaka in 1983 to develop the necessary technologies. During the next 4 years ADE developed a small RPV to validate in-flight video transmission capabilities and to implement ground take off and parachute recovery.

==Characteristics==
Kapothaka had an all-up-weight (AUW) of {{convert|130|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and was powered by an conventional twin boom configuration 26 bhp piston engine. It had a very small, low radar cross-section and was launched from a rail with rocket assistance. The system had a {{convert|4.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} wingspan, a length of {{convert|3.67|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. Operating ceiling was {{convert|3000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The integral wing-boom-tail unit was made of [[Fiberglass|Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic]] (GFRP) material whereas the fuselage is a combination of aluminium and GFRP; the aircraft has an endurance of 90 minutes while carrying payload of {{convert|20|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and can achieve a speed of {{convert|180|kph|mph|abbr=on}} in flight. It is equipped with TV and panoramic cameras, providing real time imagery intelligence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/techfocus/2010/dec10.pdf |title=Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Technologies |access-date=2012-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228083451/http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/techfocus/2010/dec10.pdf |archive-date=2013-12-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k8lWp2Z33yQC|title=Handbook of Polymer Blends and Composites, Volume 1 edited by A. K. Kulshreshtha, Cornelia Vasile|isbn=9781859572498 |access-date=2012-08-17|last1=Kulshreshtha |first1=A. K. |last2=Vasile |first2=Cornelia |year=2002 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_416.shtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223072104/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_416.shtml |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 23, 2013 |title=DEFEXPO 2004 - Part 1 |author=B Harry |date=8 Feb 2004 |access-date=17 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.expressindia.com/fe/daily/19970525/14555623.html |title=Going global via self-reliance |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=9 July 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030709172556/http://expressindia.com/fe/daily/19970525/14555623.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

This programme enabled [[Aeronautical Development Establishment|ADE]] to cut teeth on the intricacies of UAV design development and deployment. The endeavour culminated in successful demonstration of aerial reconnaissance using an RPV during [[Operation Brasstacks]] in September 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aame.in/2012/06/unmanned-aerial-vehicles-uav-for-india.html |title=Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAV] for India - perspectives, vision & requirements |access-date=2012-08-17}}</ref> Indian Army, impressed by the unique capability provided by an RPV, formulated a "qualitative requirement" for a tactical UAV system for artillery leading to the development of [[DRDO Nishant|Nishant UAV]] system.
==Specification==
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units? = met
|ref=Kapothaka<ref name="factsheet">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k8lWp2Z33yQC |title=Handbook of Polymer Blends and Composites, Volume 1 edited by A. K. Kulshreshtha, Cornelia Vasile |isbn=9781859572498 |access-date=Aug 17, 2012|last1=Kulshreshtha |first1=A. K. |last2=Vasile |first2=Cornelia |year=2002 }}</ref><ref name="factsheet1">{{cite web |url=http://www.uavcenter.com/expo2/user/uavcenter/download/html/03_asia_04.html |title=UAV's in SOUTH ASIA |access-date=Aug 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074538/http://www.uavcenter.com/expo2/user/uavcenter/download/html/03_asia_04.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|crew=none on-board
|length m=3.67
|length ft=12
|span m=4.5
|span ft=14
|span in=9
|gross weight kg=130
|gross weight lb=290
|endurance=90 mins
|eng1 name=2-cylinder 2-stroke engine
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 hp=26
|eng1 kw=19
|max speed kmh=180
|max speed mph=110
|ceiling m=3,000
|ceiling ft=9,800
}}

==See also==
*[[DRDO Nishant]]
*[[List of unmanned aerial vehicles]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Unmanned aerial vehicles of DRDO}}
{{Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)}}

[[Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of India]]
[[Category:Military equipment of India]]
[[Category:DRDO aircraft|Kapothaka]]

DRDO Kapothaka - Revision history

LavadaDonald013 at 22:47, 8 November 2025