Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
DRDO Nishant
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · COLD WAR
18
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- UAV Classtactical
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1995
- Service Entry Year2011
- Primary Roleintelligence gathering, reconnaissance, surveillance, target designation, artillery fire correction, damage assessment, ELINT, SIGINT
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe4MOD.4
- Length4.6 m
- Wingspan6.5 m
- Max Takeoff Weight380 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant5MOD.5
- Engine TypeALVIS AR-801
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power41 kW
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / Configurationfixed-pitch pusher
◇Performance4MOD.4
- Top Speed216 km/h
- Service Ceiling3,962 m
- Range100 km
- Endurance4.5
◆Payload & Sensors5MOD.5
- EO/IR SensorYes
- SAR / GMTI RadarNo
- SIGINT PayloadYes
- Laser DesignatorYes
- Sensor Payload Weight45 kg
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy3MOD.3
- Control Typeremotely piloted
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
▲Service History2MOD.2
- Retirement Year2015
- Operational StatusAbandoned project
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1988Production started
- 2015Production ended
38
years in service
27
years in production
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
201RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES18COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES121INDIA · ALL WEAPONS170PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
A device that emits a laser beam to mark targets for precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate strikes by designating coordinates for laser-homing weapons.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources