On surveillance mission, Sea Guardian drone encounters 'technical failure' 

A specialised high-altitude long-range surveillance drone, called the Sea Guardian, leased from US company General Atomics, made a ‘landing at sea’ east of Chennai in the Bay of Bengal.

The drone has not been recovered so far, sources said.    

The Indian Navy said the drone encountered a technical failure at about 2 pm while on a routine surveillance mission which could not be reset in mid-flight. “The aircraft was navigated to a safe area over sea and carried out a controlled ditching at sea off Chennai.”

A detailed report has been sought from the General Atomics. The drone was operated by the company and it was leased during the border crisis with China. The drone can fly non-stop for more than 36 hours while continuously sending live feed.

The Sea Guardian classified as a ‘high altitude long endurance remotely piloted aircraft (HALE- RPA), was operating from the Navy’s air base at INS Rajali, Arakonnam, near Chennai.