NewSpace Research and Technologies, a Bengaluru-based defense technology firm, has successfully tested an indigenous Rocket-Assisted Take-Off (RATO) booster for its Sheshnag-150 long-range loitering munition. This milestone, achieved in October 2026, marks a significant advancement in India's unmanned aerial systems sector.
The RATO booster, developed by NewSpace's GryphonWorks engineering team, was entirely designed and manufactured in India. This successful test is the first of its kind for India's indigenously designed long-range attack drones, paving the way for runway-independent launch capabilities. Such capabilities are crucial for enhancing the flexibility of deploying unmanned strike platforms.
RATO technology involves using an additional rocket booster to provide the necessary thrust during an aircraft's initial launch phase. This approach reduces the reliance on conventional runways, offering greater operational flexibility. NewSpace emphasized that this development is a key step in the Sheshnag-150 program, which has already seen the platform's maiden flight and long-range trials.
Runway-Independent Launching Expands Operational Flexibility
One of the primary benefits of RATO technology is its ability to launch unmanned aerial platforms without the need for established airfields. Traditional aircraft require specific infrastructure for take-off, which can limit deployment options. By contrast, RATO technology enables aircraft to achieve necessary acceleration using an auxiliary propulsion system, thus expanding deployment flexibility.
NewSpace has highlighted the importance of runway independence for the Sheshnag-150 booster development program. This capability supports faster launch cycles and more flexible deployment from various locations, particularly for long-range unmanned aircraft operating in diverse geographical environments. The successful booster test is a crucial step toward achieving these capabilities.
The Sheshnag-150, part of NewSpace's Sheshnag family of autonomous swarming systems, is designed for long-range autonomous strike missions. Unveiled at Aero India 2025, the platform boasts an operational range exceeding 1,000 kilometers and an endurance of more than five hours, according to developer claims. It forms part of the company's Fused Teaming with Uncrewed Rapid Effects (FUTURE) initiative, focusing on coordinated unmanned aerial systems.
NewSpace's proprietary MOSAIC intelligent software suite is a critical component of the Sheshnag-150 program, supporting autonomous coordination and collaborative operations between multiple unmanned platforms. The RATO demonstration follows earlier achievements, including the platform's maiden flight in February 2025, where it successfully engaged a designated target with a circular error probable of five meters.
The Sheshnag-150 is designed around distributed autonomy, allowing multiple aerial platforms to coordinate activities through a common intelligent control architecture. The recent RATO trial expands the program's focus beyond flight performance and autonomous capabilities to include more flexible launch methods for long-range unmanned aircraft.
NewSpace's Sheshnag family includes the SN-20, SN-50, and SN-150, each representing different operational range categories. These systems are developed around autonomous coordination, enabling multiple platforms to share mission information and operate collaboratively. The company describes this as decentralized swarming, where individual vehicles function as coordinated elements within a larger autonomous network.
The name Sheshnag is inspired by the multi-headed serpent from Indian tradition, symbolizing multiple autonomous platforms operating through coordinated intelligence. This technology is part of NewSpace's broader work in intelligent unmanned aerial systems, advanced autonomous control, and collaborative aerospace platforms.
NewSpace's successful RATO demonstration aligns with India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The company emphasized that the booster technology was developed and tested domestically by an Indian private-sector engineering team, showcasing the growing capabilities of India's defense technology enterprises.
India's unmanned aerial systems industry is increasingly developing indigenous capabilities in autonomous navigation, propulsion, flight-control systems, intelligent coordination, and specialized aerospace technologies. The successful integration and testing of technologies like RATO boosters strengthen the domestic development ecosystem for advanced unmanned aircraft.
For NewSpace, the RATO booster trial represents another milestone in the development of the Sheshnag-150 long-range loitering munition. By advancing from initial flight demonstrations to long-range testing and rocket-assisted launch technology, NewSpace is enhancing the technological capabilities of its indigenous unmanned strike platform.
This development underscores the increasing contribution of Indian private-sector companies to advanced defense research, autonomous systems, and aerospace engineering. As NewSpace continues to develop the Sheshnag family, advancements in autonomous coordination, propulsion, and flexible launch technologies will contribute to India's growing indigenous unmanned aerial systems capabilities and strengthen the country's defense technology ecosystem.
