A detailed report has been requested from the original equipment manufacturer. (Representative)
Chennai:
The Indian Navy said an MQ-9B Predator High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft (HALE RPA) experienced a technical fault on Wednesday, following which the aircraft was manoeuvred to a safe location over the sea and made a controlled emergency landing at sea off the coast of Chennai.
“A High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft (HALE RPA) leased to the Indian Navy, operating from INS Rajali, Arakonnam (near Chennai), experienced a technical fault at around 1400 hrs while on a routine surveillance mission which could not be reset in flight,” the Defence Ministry said.
The drone was later directed to a safe area over the sea and performed a controlled emergency landing at sea off the coast of Chennai, the company said.
“A detailed report has been requested from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM),” it added.
“The MQ-9B Predator drones (HALE RPA) flying for the Indian Navy are operated by General Atomics under a leasing agreement between the Indian Navy and the US company. The Indian side only pays for the services provided by the vendor and the drones are flown by the pilots of the vendor side. The Indian side has asked the vendors for a detailed report on the mishap,” Navy officials said.
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