During the flight tests conducted on Monday (July 28), Elang Hitam was accompanied by PTDI’s Kodiak aircraft as a chase aircraft, which served to monitor the PTTA’s performance in flight and support flight safety aspects. These flight tests are part of an ongoing series of tests that will continue until Elang Hitam receives official certification from the relevant authorities.
The development of the Elang Hitam was carried out comprehensively through a consortium scheme, with PTDI as the lead integrator responsible for developing the aircraft platform. The consortium involves BPPT and LAPAN—now part of BRIN—the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), PT Len Industri (Persero), and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). From conceptual design, preliminary design, detailed design, prototyping, to testing and certification processes, Elang Hitam was developed independently and designed to meet the operational needs of the Indonesian Air Force, as well as adapted to the characteristics of the Indonesian territory.
Based on the direction of the Defense Industry Policy Committee (KKIP), the development of Elang Hitam was carried out with the involvement of the national ecosystem. The hope is that Elang Hitam will become a milestone in the development of the national PTTA ecosystem.
“This flight test serves as a proof-of-concept for mastering key technologies in the design and development of MALE-class PTTA, including system configuration design, automatic flight control systems, and long-range communication systems for MALE-class PTTA. This proof-of-concept will serve as the foundational reference for further MALE development in accordance with national requirements. We also express our appreciation to the entire team for their high dedication and meticulousness throughout the development process,” said Moh Arif Faisal, Director of Commerce, Technology, and Development at PTDI.
As a MALE-category UAV, the Black Eagle is designed to perform surveillance and intelligence missions with an operational duration of up to 24 hours at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet. This platform features an open and modular architecture, enabling further development according to mission requirements, both military and civilian, including maritime surveillance, disaster response, and border surveillance. Elang Hitam is an Indonesian-made PTTA weighing more than 1 ton, demonstrating the complexity and maturity of the design and technology applied by the national defense industry.
In a global context, the development of MALE UAVs is now a strategic priority for countries with modern military forces. The United States, Turkey, France, and India are actively developing MALE drones as solutions for high-risk operations, including cross-border missions and maritime security. With the successful development of Elang Hitam, Indonesia will soon be among a select group of countries in the world with the capability to design and build strategic-class UAVs.
"The Elang Hitam flight test is not merely a test of an unmanned aircraft. It can serve as a statement that Indonesia is capable and ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with advanced nations in the development of future defense technology. We view Elang Hitam as a crucial foundation for creating a self-reliant and competitive national UAV ecosystem,” added Moh Arif Faisal.