Hyderabad: Hostel-born startup Apollyon Dynamics has successfully launched its jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) — ADX-1 — from the roof of a moving car and is now developing indigenous technology to reduce India’s dependence on imported target drones used for military training.The founders — two 21-year-old fourth year B Tech students from Hyderabad — said the UAV, once fitted with the necessary sensors and avionics, can be configured as a target or decoy to simulate threats such as the S-400 and Akash missile systems during military exercises. The same platform, they said, can also be configured as a kamikaze drone.“We’re the only company in India and most probably among the few in the world working to launch a jet UAV from the top of a car. Initial test launches of ADX-1, a high-speed, jet-powered combat UAV, were conducted successfully from a vehicle-mounted platform under controlled conditions and with all necessary safety protocols in place,” said Jayant Khatari, co-founder of Apollyon Dynamics. He said each test was helping the company move closer to operational readiness.Built by two student-entrepreneurs, the startup initially developed prototypes using 3D-printed components before transitioning to carbon-fibre construction. The company went through multiple failed launches and crashes during development, which the founders said helped them refine the design. It is currently working on the avionics and electronic systems required to complete ADX-1.
