An important milestone in tactical drone warfare has been reached with the successful testing of a First Person View (FPV) drone fitted with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition by the Indian Army’s Fleur-De-Lis Brigade. As part of a first-of-its-kind initiative inside the Indian Army, the test was carried out in Pathankot, Punjab.
This cutting-edge drone was created in partnership with the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Chandigarh.
The project, which was started in August 2024, involved a lot of research, development, and testing to produce an aerial strike system that was inexpensive but effective. The Rising Star Drone Battle School, which has produced more than 100 drones in the formation by March 2025, assembled the FPV drone wholly in-house.
According to TBRL guidelines, this independent method guaranteed total control over quality, integration, and real-time changes. The end product is a highly manoeuvrable and effective drone that has been improved for operational deployment through improved flight dynamics, weight distribution, and structural integrity.
The drone’s payload system has a dual-safety device to avoid unintentional detonation during handling, transit, or flight, ensuring operator safety. The trigger mechanism can only be operated by the pilot under controlled circumstances using a radio controller, and it is made to comply with these safety characteristics.
FPV goggles receive real-time payload status updates from a live feedback relay system, allowing for accurate mission decision-making.
Aerial vehicle assessments, trigger system evaluations, and explosive testing were all part of the development process. The efficacy, precision, and dependability of the drone in delivering payloads were verified by TBRL experts at each stage. The FPV drone’s successful test establishes it as a revolutionary force multiplier for contemporary Indian Army tactical operations.
