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8ak exclusive: Interview with Kadet Defence CEO, an innovator in Aerial Targets
8ak exclusive: The best way to test a DRDO missile’s effectiveness against an F-16, is to shoot down a F-16. Unfortunately the loss of the pilot’s life would be unacceptable and the loss of an F-16 would be too expensive (unless of course the good Pakistanis were willing to oblige). This is where unmanned aerial targets come in. They range from model airplanes to full fledged unmanned systems with all the electronic gizmos depending upon the user’s training and test requirements and importantly budget which also determines the frequency of the tests.
The stakes are high if an enemy fighter jet or missile flew into Indian territory and the armed forces could not shoot it down. So while a high degree of reliability across multiple electronic and human systems is required, the Indian Armed Forces historical use of aerial targets is quite dismal.
Initially the good old Dakota aircraft used to tow a sleeve and the air defence guns used to fire on the towed sleeve. However, the speed was very slow of this propeller driven aircraft. Subsequently the Dakota was replaced by the Canberra bomber towing a sleeve. As the Canberras started to age their reliability became suspect and the Air Def (AD) arty started to use unmanned systems. They began with an acceptable American KD2R5 “Shelduck” in the 80’s, but they downgraded to model airplanes, which although cheap, are highly inadequate. Along with model airplanes, they also make use of the Lakshya drone which is expensive and a logistical nightmare to operate. What is required urgently, is an economical unmanned target drone, which meets the price-point for volume target practice, is technically sophisticated, and also has an easy-to-deploy sequence pattern on the field. The Indian Armed Forces did act on this by issuing an RFP in 2008, but unfortunately, it was withdrawn within a year.
An indigineous expert manufacturer, Kadet Defence Systems, based in Kolkata, feels that in the right policy environment, India has the opportunity to build world class Unmanned Aerial Target Systems that also offer a distinct cost advantage. 8ak interviewed their CEO, Avdhesh Khaitan and their Chief Mentor & Strategic Advisor- Military Sales, Maj Gen J S Mahil, AVSM (Retd), to discuss the opportunities and the issues. The transcript is below, but first have a look at their video by clicking the image on the right.
8ak: Can you tell us about varieties of Aerial Targets?
Gen Mahil : Aerial targets are designed to replicate either Fighter Jets, Helicopters, UAVs or Missiles (sub-sonic or supersonic). Depending upon the usage, they can either be Full-Scale or Sub-Scale, Dumb sitting ducks or Smart with sensors, jammers, propulsion, navigation and communication systems that allow for the target to take evasive measures for a more realistic battlefield scenario.
Obviously, there is a huge cost differential, depending on both the functionality and quality deployed. On the high-end, such systems can cost upto a few million dollars.
8ak: What is currently being manufactured in India?
Avdhesh: There are no multi-national players in India and no manufacturer of high-end systems, which has traditionally been the domain of the international majors like Northrop, Skua, EADS and others. Since the Indian Armed forces are focusing on large scale training, Kadet Defence Systems focuses on economical, high-volume turnaround versions which also fulfill their technical specifications and performance requirements. For these high-volume turnarounds, we are now set to mass-produce our Javelin X Aerial Target and JX2 Aerial Target. After years of R&D and four prototypes, I believe we have finally created the ideal solution. (See Picture) For more sophisticated systems, we have exclusive distribution rights from UTSL (U.K.) for their MSAT 500 System, which we have already successfully demonstrated to the Indian Army.
8ak: What are the capabilities of the Javelin X and the JX2?
Avdhesh: The Javelin X has an all-composite, low drag airframe with a wingspan of 3.4 meters and length of 2.46 meters. It has a 2 Km optically tracked radius, piloted by a four-man crew using optical tracking and manual radio control. By adding a Beyond Visual Range Avionics Suite the range can be extended up to 20 Km. The Javelin X is primarily used as an expendable kill target.
The Javelin X has a cruise speed greater than 50m per second and a per-refuelling range exceeding 30 minutes. It can also be equipped with an optional IR source for IR guided weapons training.
The JX2 additionally offers the facility for towing a tow target for gunnery and missile training and an optional AMDI can also be installed.
8ak: How are the Indian Armed forces planning to use it?
Gen Mahil: Aerial targets are used to train their Air Defence Crew and Artillery Batteries. Currently the Air Defence primarily use the low cost model airplanes which are inadequate for target practice given the low speed of not more than 30 meters/second and sparingly use the Lakshya which is expensive to operate, expensive to destroy and can only be recovered from the sea.
This is where our Aerial Targets fit in. Javelin X is designed to simulate attack aircraft during air combat training exercises, weapon development and weapon evaluation. The Javelin X offers a speed envelope of not less than 50 metres/second and is an economical, modular and selectively expendable target. In its basic architecture, the Javelin X - Multi Role Aerial Target System is able to operate from fixed ground facilities (ranges) and has zero length launcher which eliminates the need for prepared runways for operation.. The Javelin X was used by the Army Air Defence during Operation Brazen Chariots, 2008 as targets for its OSA Missiles.
The JX2 offers functionality keeping in mind the overall budgetary requirements of the Users. We can tow aerial tow bodies at a length of 200 metres behind the airplane which mitigates the risk of the airplane being accidentally hit.
8ak note: What components does Kadet manufacture and what is bought externally? Avdhesh: Kadet does the in-house systems design and manufactures the Airframe using composites. The propulsion (engine), command, guidance and navigation systems are bought as COTS Items and significant value addition is made prior to integration in our systems.
8ak: What is the future for Kadet?
Avdhesh: There is only one major buyer in India, the armed forces, so we are completely dependent upon their discretion and whether they are serious about developing indigenous capabilities. We also support various developmental agencies in India with their requirements for Aerial Targets.
Our aim is to achieve a constant order base from the Indian armed forces, then expand in to overseas sales and continue to develop our UAV platform which is a logical next step. We currently have an “Over the Hill” UAV called Trogon.
8ak: What do the armed forces have to do to encourage companies like Kadet Avdhesh: The armed forces must follow a long-term plan on their training requirements for aerial targets and encourage private sector players as partners in development. This will allow for a steady, predictable order flow that will keep costs low to both parties and ensure a viable progression from low-end to high-end complex targets and maybe even to UAVs.
8ak: What does the government need to do to ensure UAS production in India?
First and foremost, the 30% duty on imported components should be removed for equipment used in R&D. Besides not making sense, it also puts us at a disadvantage with DRDO, ADE etc who don’t pay any duties. Besides this, the government needs to have a long term plan for indigenous Unmanned Systems as a whole and provide research and development grants for the time it takes to develop and sell to the armed forces. There is also a lack of testing facilities which require a wide area and various licenses.
Both the government and the armed forces have to realise that its very easy for them to cancel RFPs but it hurts the morale of smaller companies that they should be promoting and can even bankrupt them. Which means they will be left dependent on expensive imports from foreign multi-nationals who have the resources to keep re-bidding for years. This is bad for the armed forces and the nation. So they must put a lot of thought in to designing the RFPs, that it fits in to a long term plan and if it is cancelled re-imburse costs at least to the smaller players.
8ak: What are the challenges in exporting aerial targets? What is the Market size Competition from Israel, China, U.S. etc
In the U.S. it is the law that aerial targets must be used in testing some category of weapons. Coupled with long-term plans and a good budget, this ensures a good market size, continuous production and large order size. So while the overheads of U.S. manufacturers are very high, they can spread them across a large, continuous order. The Indian government has to consider this if it wants indigenous players to be globally competitive. And its not just out of patriotism, rather out of the best use of taxpayer money and national security as well.
8ak: What is Kadet’s history?
Avdhesh: Avdhesh has a long term interest and is an expert in all aspects of scale flying airplanes. Avdhesh also has done extensive training with various international UAV manufacturers in all aspects of manufacturing and operations. Before initiating this venture, he met some officers from the Armed Forces who were not impressed with the usage of Aeromodels as training aids as they flew at an unacceptable speed of 10-15mtr per second speed . So Avdhesh developed aerial targets and in 2005 supplied the Army with its first indigenous, professional target that was used in Operation Desert Strike used against OSA (SAM-8) missile. Kadet subsequently introduced the Javelin X and JX 2 Aerial Target Systems which can tow hard tow bodies and sleeves with an option for AMDI. In 2008, Maj Gen J. S. Mahil, AVSM (Retd) joined Kadet and is the Chief Mentor and Strategic Advisor for Military Sales. Kadet has also tied up with UTSL (U.K.) for high-speed targets and associated systems.
8ak note: Click on the Image on the right to watch a video of Kadet's Aerial Target during a destructive test!
Kadet is looking for Technical and Financial collaborators and contact details are Mr Avdhesh Khaitan, [email protected], +91 33 2486 3904 Kadet Defence Systems - Target • UAV • OEM • Composite Fabrication
Kadet Jx2 Launch
Photo images copyright Kadet Defence. Both images and the article can be reproduced without need for permission as long as the context is not changed significantly and due credit is given.
8ak - Indian Defence News: 8ak exclusive: Interview with Kadet Defence CEO, an innovator in Aerial Targets
8ak exclusive: The best way to test a DRDO missile’s effectiveness against an F-16, is to shoot down a F-16. Unfortunately the loss of the pilot’s life would be unacceptable and the loss of an F-16 would be too expensive (unless of course the good Pakistanis were willing to oblige). This is where unmanned aerial targets come in. They range from model airplanes to full fledged unmanned systems with all the electronic gizmos depending upon the user’s training and test requirements and importantly budget which also determines the frequency of the tests.
The stakes are high if an enemy fighter jet or missile flew into Indian territory and the armed forces could not shoot it down. So while a high degree of reliability across multiple electronic and human systems is required, the Indian Armed Forces historical use of aerial targets is quite dismal.
Initially the good old Dakota aircraft used to tow a sleeve and the air defence guns used to fire on the towed sleeve. However, the speed was very slow of this propeller driven aircraft. Subsequently the Dakota was replaced by the Canberra bomber towing a sleeve. As the Canberras started to age their reliability became suspect and the Air Def (AD) arty started to use unmanned systems. They began with an acceptable American KD2R5 “Shelduck” in the 80’s, but they downgraded to model airplanes, which although cheap, are highly inadequate. Along with model airplanes, they also make use of the Lakshya drone which is expensive and a logistical nightmare to operate. What is required urgently, is an economical unmanned target drone, which meets the price-point for volume target practice, is technically sophisticated, and also has an easy-to-deploy sequence pattern on the field. The Indian Armed Forces did act on this by issuing an RFP in 2008, but unfortunately, it was withdrawn within a year.
An indigineous expert manufacturer, Kadet Defence Systems, based in Kolkata, feels that in the right policy environment, India has the opportunity to build world class Unmanned Aerial Target Systems that also offer a distinct cost advantage. 8ak interviewed their CEO, Avdhesh Khaitan and their Chief Mentor & Strategic Advisor- Military Sales, Maj Gen J S Mahil, AVSM (Retd), to discuss the opportunities and the issues. The transcript is below, but first have a look at their video by clicking the image on the right.
8ak: Can you tell us about varieties of Aerial Targets?
Gen Mahil : Aerial targets are designed to replicate either Fighter Jets, Helicopters, UAVs or Missiles (sub-sonic or supersonic). Depending upon the usage, they can either be Full-Scale or Sub-Scale, Dumb sitting ducks or Smart with sensors, jammers, propulsion, navigation and communication systems that allow for the target to take evasive measures for a more realistic battlefield scenario.
Obviously, there is a huge cost differential, depending on both the functionality and quality deployed. On the high-end, such systems can cost upto a few million dollars.
8ak: What is currently being manufactured in India?
Avdhesh: There are no multi-national players in India and no manufacturer of high-end systems, which has traditionally been the domain of the international majors like Northrop, Skua, EADS and others. Since the Indian Armed forces are focusing on large scale training, Kadet Defence Systems focuses on economical, high-volume turnaround versions which also fulfill their technical specifications and performance requirements. For these high-volume turnarounds, we are now set to mass-produce our Javelin X Aerial Target and JX2 Aerial Target. After years of R&D and four prototypes, I believe we have finally created the ideal solution. (See Picture) For more sophisticated systems, we have exclusive distribution rights from UTSL (U.K.) for their MSAT 500 System, which we have already successfully demonstrated to the Indian Army.
8ak: What are the capabilities of the Javelin X and the JX2?
Avdhesh: The Javelin X has an all-composite, low drag airframe with a wingspan of 3.4 meters and length of 2.46 meters. It has a 2 Km optically tracked radius, piloted by a four-man crew using optical tracking and manual radio control. By adding a Beyond Visual Range Avionics Suite the range can be extended up to 20 Km. The Javelin X is primarily used as an expendable kill target.
The Javelin X has a cruise speed greater than 50m per second and a per-refuelling range exceeding 30 minutes. It can also be equipped with an optional IR source for IR guided weapons training.
The JX2 additionally offers the facility for towing a tow target for gunnery and missile training and an optional AMDI can also be installed.
8ak: How are the Indian Armed forces planning to use it?
Gen Mahil: Aerial targets are used to train their Air Defence Crew and Artillery Batteries. Currently the Air Defence primarily use the low cost model airplanes which are inadequate for target practice given the low speed of not more than 30 meters/second and sparingly use the Lakshya which is expensive to operate, expensive to destroy and can only be recovered from the sea.
This is where our Aerial Targets fit in. Javelin X is designed to simulate attack aircraft during air combat training exercises, weapon development and weapon evaluation. The Javelin X offers a speed envelope of not less than 50 metres/second and is an economical, modular and selectively expendable target. In its basic architecture, the Javelin X - Multi Role Aerial Target System is able to operate from fixed ground facilities (ranges) and has zero length launcher which eliminates the need for prepared runways for operation.. The Javelin X was used by the Army Air Defence during Operation Brazen Chariots, 2008 as targets for its OSA Missiles.
The JX2 offers functionality keeping in mind the overall budgetary requirements of the Users. We can tow aerial tow bodies at a length of 200 metres behind the airplane which mitigates the risk of the airplane being accidentally hit.
8ak note: What components does Kadet manufacture and what is bought externally? Avdhesh: Kadet does the in-house systems design and manufactures the Airframe using composites. The propulsion (engine), command, guidance and navigation systems are bought as COTS Items and significant value addition is made prior to integration in our systems.
8ak: What is the future for Kadet?
Avdhesh: There is only one major buyer in India, the armed forces, so we are completely dependent upon their discretion and whether they are serious about developing indigenous capabilities. We also support various developmental agencies in India with their requirements for Aerial Targets.
Our aim is to achieve a constant order base from the Indian armed forces, then expand in to overseas sales and continue to develop our UAV platform which is a logical next step. We currently have an “Over the Hill” UAV called Trogon.
8ak: What do the armed forces have to do to encourage companies like Kadet Avdhesh: The armed forces must follow a long-term plan on their training requirements for aerial targets and encourage private sector players as partners in development. This will allow for a steady, predictable order flow that will keep costs low to both parties and ensure a viable progression from low-end to high-end complex targets and maybe even to UAVs.
8ak: What does the government need to do to ensure UAS production in India?
First and foremost, the 30% duty on imported components should be removed for equipment used in R&D. Besides not making sense, it also puts us at a disadvantage with DRDO, ADE etc who don’t pay any duties. Besides this, the government needs to have a long term plan for indigenous Unmanned Systems as a whole and provide research and development grants for the time it takes to develop and sell to the armed forces. There is also a lack of testing facilities which require a wide area and various licenses.
Both the government and the armed forces have to realise that its very easy for them to cancel RFPs but it hurts the morale of smaller companies that they should be promoting and can even bankrupt them. Which means they will be left dependent on expensive imports from foreign multi-nationals who have the resources to keep re-bidding for years. This is bad for the armed forces and the nation. So they must put a lot of thought in to designing the RFPs, that it fits in to a long term plan and if it is cancelled re-imburse costs at least to the smaller players.
8ak: What are the challenges in exporting aerial targets? What is the Market size Competition from Israel, China, U.S. etc
In the U.S. it is the law that aerial targets must be used in testing some category of weapons. Coupled with long-term plans and a good budget, this ensures a good market size, continuous production and large order size. So while the overheads of U.S. manufacturers are very high, they can spread them across a large, continuous order. The Indian government has to consider this if it wants indigenous players to be globally competitive. And its not just out of patriotism, rather out of the best use of taxpayer money and national security as well.
8ak: What is Kadet’s history?
Avdhesh: Avdhesh has a long term interest and is an expert in all aspects of scale flying airplanes. Avdhesh also has done extensive training with various international UAV manufacturers in all aspects of manufacturing and operations. Before initiating this venture, he met some officers from the Armed Forces who were not impressed with the usage of Aeromodels as training aids as they flew at an unacceptable speed of 10-15mtr per second speed . So Avdhesh developed aerial targets and in 2005 supplied the Army with its first indigenous, professional target that was used in Operation Desert Strike used against OSA (SAM-8) missile. Kadet subsequently introduced the Javelin X and JX 2 Aerial Target Systems which can tow hard tow bodies and sleeves with an option for AMDI. In 2008, Maj Gen J. S. Mahil, AVSM (Retd) joined Kadet and is the Chief Mentor and Strategic Advisor for Military Sales. Kadet has also tied up with UTSL (U.K.) for high-speed targets and associated systems.
8ak note: Click on the Image on the right to watch a video of Kadet's Aerial Target during a destructive test!
Kadet is looking for Technical and Financial collaborators and contact details are Mr Avdhesh Khaitan, [email protected], +91 33 2486 3904 Kadet Defence Systems - Target • UAV • OEM • Composite Fabrication
Kadet Jx2 Launch
Photo images copyright Kadet Defence. Both images and the article can be reproduced without need for permission as long as the context is not changed significantly and due credit is given.
8ak - Indian Defence News: 8ak exclusive: Interview with Kadet Defence CEO, an innovator in Aerial Targets
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