PTDI Laksanakan Uji Terbang PTTA MALE Buatan Indonesia di Kertajati Bandung (29/07) – PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) tengah melaksanakan serangkaian uji terbang pesawat tanpa awak jenis Medium...
web.facebook.com
PTDI Conducts Test Flight of Indonesia-Made MALE UAV at Kertajati
Bandung (29/07) – PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) is currently conducting a series of test flights for a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named
Elang Hitam (Black Eagle) at West Java International Airport (BIJB) Kertajati, Majalengka. This test flight marks an important milestone in PTDI’s ongoing efforts to develop unmanned aerial system capabilities based on national technology.
During the test flight held on Monday (28/07),
Elang Hitam was accompanied by PTDI’s Kodiak aircraft as a chaser aircraft, used for real-time monitoring of the UAV’s performance in the air and to support flight safety aspects. This test flight is part of a series of trials that will continue until
Elang Hitam receives official certification from the authorized authorities.
Elang Hitam is being developed comprehensively through a consortium scheme, with PTDI as the lead integrator responsible for the aircraft platform’s development. The consortium involves BPPT and LAPAN – now part of BRIN, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), PT Len Industri (Persero), and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). From conceptual design, preliminary design, detailed design, prototyping, to testing and the certification process,
Elang Hitam is being independently developed and designed to meet the operational needs of the Indonesian Air Force, tailored to the geographic characteristics of Indonesia.
Following the directives from the Defense Industry Policy Committee (KKIP),
Elang Hitam's development has involved the national ecosystem. It is hoped that
Elang Hitam will become a milestone in the growth of Indonesia’s domestic UAV ecosystem.
“This flight test is a proof-of-concept of mastering key technologies in the development of MALE-class UAVs, including system configuration design, automatic flight control systems, and long-range communication systems. This concept validation will serve as the foundation for future MALE developments aligned with national needs. We also extend our appreciation to the entire team who demonstrated high dedication and precision throughout the development process,” said Moh Arif Faisal, PTDI’s Director of Commerce, Technology & Development.
As a MALE-class UAV,
Elang Hitam is designed for surveillance and intelligence missions with operational durations of up to 24 hours at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet. The platform features an open and modular architecture, enabling further development based on mission requirements, both military and civilian, including maritime surveillance, disaster response, and border monitoring.
Elang Hitam is an Indonesian-made UAV weighing over one ton, reflecting the complexity and maturity of the design and technology applied by the national defense industry.
On a global scale, the development of MALE UAVs has become a strategic priority for countries with modern military forces. The United States, Turkey, France, and India are actively developing MALE drones as solutions for high-risk operations, including cross-border missions and maritime security. With the successful development of
Elang Hitam, Indonesia may eventually join the select group of countries in the world with the capability to design and build strategic-class UAVs.
“The flight test of
Elang Hitam is more than just an aircraft trial. It is a statement that Indonesia is capable and ready to stand alongside advanced nations in the development of future defense technologies. We see
Elang Hitam as a crucial foundation for building an independent and competitive national UAV ecosystem,” added Moh Arif Faisal.
The video :