New Delhi, May 3 -- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out maiden flight-trials of stratospheric airship platform from Sheopur trial site in Madhya Pradesh, an official statement said.

Developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra, the airship was launched carrying an instrumental payload to an altitude of around 17 km, Defence Ministry said on Saturday.

As per an official release, data from onboard sensors was received and would be utilised for development of high-quality fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude airship flights.

"Envelop pressure control and emergency deflation systems were deployed in flight for their performance evaluation. Trial team ...