India's Current & Future UAVs & UCAVs

Kuldeepm952

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Here's a serious question, what is the usual operational flight time of a male UAV like heron and searcher. Does the high flight time of greater than 30hrs exaggerated for Israeli systems or at let's say ideal conditions which in our case at our borders is not the case.
Anyway is a high flight time like let's say 30hrs+ even necessary in a conventional war scenario let's say india-pak/china war, or a high speed but decent loiter time more important for a conventional war.
 

Hari Sud

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For information…… This is a news item in Swarajaya.

The Indian Army has made a significant technological advancement this year with the induction of indigenous swarm drones into service.

Swarm drones are a group of small, unmanned aerial vehicles that can work together to accomplish a specific task.

The drones, manufactured by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technology and Noida-based Raphe mPhibr Private Limited, have been inducted by the Armoured Corps and the Mechanized Infantry.

The use of swarm drones allows for greater flexibility and efficiency in military operations, as they can be deployed in large numbers to perform a variety of tasks, such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and target identification.

The induction of these drones is a response to the increasing use of drones in conflicts around the world, particularly in Armenia and Azerbaijan and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where drones have been used to great effect against Russia.

Both the Armoured Corps and the Mechanized Infantry are looking at purchasing more drones and counter-drone measures, and have already issued Requests for Information.
 

WolfPack86

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India’s first indigenous advanced drone to debut during Aero India next week
The DRDO-developed Tapas-BH (tactical aerial platform for advanced surveillance-beyond horizon) drone will stream live the aerial and static exhibition of several aircraft during the Aero-India show in Bengaluru. Thus far, over 180 flights have been recorded on Tapas-BH.

New Delhi:
Next week will mark the public debut of India's first indigenous advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for strategic reconnaissance and surveillance. By June or July, a second indigenous weaponized drone is also expected to conduct its first flight test.

The DRDO-developed Tapas-BH (tactical aerial platform for advanced surveillance-beyond horizon) drone will stream live the aerial and static exhibition of several aircraft during the Aero-India show in Bengaluru. Thus far, over 180 flights have been recorded on Tapas-BH.

Tapas-BH will showcase its capabilities, which includes operating at altitudes up to 28,000-feet with an endurance of over 18 hours. The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) is DRDO’s solution for ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) requirements of the Army, IAF and Navy,” as per a defence ministry official quoted by TOI.

The Rustom-2 drone, also known as Tapas-BH, has a 20.6-metre wing span, a top speed of 225 kmph, and "a command range" of 1,000 km via satellite-based communication. The military forces are currently preparing to conduct a formal user-trial evaluation of the UAV, which can fly at night as well.

Then, according to a source, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Bharat Electronics, and other companies might start mass producing it.

According to reports, the smart anti-airfield weapon (SAAW) and anti-tank guided missile-capable Archer-NG (next generation) armed drone would undergo its first flight test between June and July.

Recent conflicts, such those between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the present Russia-Ukraine conflict, have highlighted the operational utility of drones and AI-enabled drone swarms.

India, however, has miles to go before it sleeps in terms of the development of advanced drones. Currently it imports Heron and Searcher-II drones from Israel, along with MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones on lease.
 

Gyyan

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Archer
Tapas
TIA-AV50
Heron
MQ9A
IAI searcher
Ghatak
Cats family
Swift (if turned into seperate program)
are the drones we have/planned as of i now if I haven't forgotten something.
 

brat4

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The DRDO-developed Tapas-BH (tactical aerial platform for advanced surveillance-beyond horizon) drone will stream live the aerial and static exhibition of several aircraft during the Aero-India show in Bengaluru.
not a static display
not a flying display
but the display of a capability of its flight + its actual usage.

if this works as expected, it will be a moment for all the jingos to rejoice
 

brat4

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^^ wont it just be adding something like the SPJ or EW payloads to the TAPAS BH? all the ingredients are certainly there.
 

Rajaraja Chola

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^^ wont it just be adding something like the SPJ or EW payloads to the TAPAS BH? all the ingredients are certainly there.
Depends. There are power requirements and if there are sufficient power, the range it could provide protection. Drones are slow moving and they can’t give efficient cover to any fighters or even transports.
Now if it’s Ghatak Ucav it might, but not normal drones.
 

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