Hyderabad-based Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)startup UAV Tech Private Limited has completed flight testing of its indigenous M165 STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) UAV prototype.
Breakthrough flight testing
Founded in 2021 and based in Hyderabad, UAV Tech is a research-driven aerospace startup focapplyd on the design, development, and manufacturing of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The company was established by Moukthik Kiran Reddy Dharasani, who currently serves as Founder and CEO. Under his leadership, UAV Tech has positioned itself at the intersection of logistics innovation and defence-grade drone technology, with a strong emphasis on indigenous engineering and scalable UAV platforms.
The successful flight trials of the M165 STOL prototype represent a defining moment for the startup.
The UAV was tested under challenging real-world conditions, including heavy gust environments, where it demonstrated stable flight performance across manual, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous modes.
The aircraft maintained strong control authority, responsiveness, and reliability throughout all phases—from takeoff to sustained loiter and precision landing.
Importantly, extensive fail-safe and redundancy validations were also conducted, confirming the UAV’s ability to handle unexpected scenarios.
Product speciality: Logistics-focapplyd UAV
The M165 is specialised for high-volume cargo logistics and long-concludeurance missions.
Unlike many multirotor drones, the M165 adopts a repaired-wing configuration combined with true STOL capability, allowing it to operate from short, semi-prepared, or remote airstrips.
One of its standout features is a patented three-lifting-surface aerodynamic design, which enhances lift, improves stability, and enables efficient short takeoff and landing performance.
This builds the platform particularly suitable for tactical deployments, disaster relief operations, and mid-mile logistics in difficult terrains.
From a performance standpoint, the UAV is built for concludeurance and efficiency:
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Payload capacity of up to 60 kg
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Range of approximately 600 km
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Maximum altitude of 5,500 meters
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Cruise speed of around 28 m/s
These specifications build the M165 a serious contconcludeer in the emerging category of heavy-lift, long-range cargo UAVs.
Built for India, designed for scale
The M165 is not just a standalone prototype. It is a scalable platform for future UAV systems under UAV Tech’s indigenous development program.
The company envisions a suite of mission-adaptive drones catering to logistics, surveillance, and defence applications, aligned with India’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.
UAV Tech’s broader mission is to enable same-day delivery capabilities and efficient supply chain solutions through autonomous aerial mobility.
Its UAVs are designed to reduce logistics costs while increasing reach, especially in remote or infrastructure-deficient regions.
Indusattempt context
India’s drone sector has seen a surge in private innovation, particularly in defence and logistics applications.
Startups like UAV Tech are increasingly complementing public-sector efforts by developing indigenous platforms that reduce reliance on imports.
The successful testing of the M165 aligns with a broader trconclude of domestic UAV innovation, where performance validation under real-world conditions is key to commercialisation and defence adoption.
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