India invests heavily in unmanned technologies
Aerospace Forum Sweden 2012:
India invests heavily in unmanned
technologies
31 May 2012 - 10:57 by Tony
Osborne in Linkoping, Sweden
India's armed forces are set to
become highly reliant on unmanned
aerial systems by 2030, according to
a scientist with the country's
Defence Research and Development
(DRDO).
'By 2030, the percentage of the
manned fleet will have been reduced
significantly,' said Dr Vijay Kumar
Saraswat, scientific advisor and
secretary of the DRDO, speaking at the
Aerospace Forum Sweden being held
at Malmen AB, near Linkoping on 31
May.
'But it depends very much on how
smart and intelligent we can make
these [unmanned] systems,' added
Saraswat.
In his presentation, Saraswat
highlighted a large number of the
technologies currently being
developed by the DRDO.
Currently the organisation is flying the
Nishant UAV, a catapult launched,
parachute recovered low-altitude
surveillance system, as well as the
Rustom 1 MALE system. Now the
DRDO is working on the Rustom 2,
this aircraft will have a 5km altitude
and an endurance of 24 hours.
As well as its numerous programmes
surrounding manned aircraft, the
DRDO is working on UAV technologies
required for the challenging UAV
requirements demanded by the
Indian armed forces including high
endurance and loiter capabilities, icing
and de-icing, sense and avoid and the
ability to take-off from runways at
11,000 ft.
Aero-structures technology is also
receiving attention such as bio-
mimetic materials for nano air
vehicles as well as materials that will
self-heal or allow changes in shape in
flight.
Among the requirements for the
Indian forces is a 'bomber UAV' and a
'fighter UAV.' In the presentation
shown by Saraswat was a flying-wing
dubbed the Independent Unmanned
Surveillance Air Vehicle (IUSAV), which
featured a design similar to the X-45
and X-47 currently under test in the
US.
The IUSAV is likely to use some of the
low-observable techniques currently
under development by the DRDO for
its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
(AMCA) and the country's fifth-
generation fighter programme in
development in conjunction with
Russia.
These technologies include radar
absorbent paints, conformal
antennas, low engine exhaust
temperatures and serpentine ducts
for airflow into the engine, planned to
be a derivative of the Kaveri engine
currently under test for the Light
Combat Aircraft. The IUSUV is likely to
enter service over in 10 to 15 years'
time.
The IUSAV would also serve alongside
a solar-powered HALE platform for
surveillance.
can someone tell wat is male and hale?
