Under the deal, Bengaluru-based NewSpace will help develop a primary prototype which will undergo assessments over the next four years

Startup to lead the first phase of development with seed funding from the Ministry of Defence

HAPS are high-altitude UAVs that are capable of conducting surveillance operations by staying airborne for months at a stretchThe Ministry of Defence (MoD) has inked a deal with aerospace startup, NewSpace, for the development of a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS).

The contract was signed between the two parties on February 10.

HAPS is an unmanned aircraft that operates at altitudes over 65,000 ft and is capable of conducting surveillance operations by staying airborne for months at a stretch.

The HAPS are designed to fly at higher altitudes, which puts them out of range for most air defence systems. In addition to this, they rely on solar energy to power themselves allowing them to stay airborne for months on end.