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India's Current & Future UAVs & UCAVs
- Thread starter Drsomnath999
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sayareakd
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Unmanned sub........
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Unmanned subs with silos are already under development. This is for covert surveillance with sonar signature so low that it is mistaken for a fish. This one looks the size of a standard Tuna.
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PICTURES: How Netra UAVs helped Indian disaster relief effort
The disaster relief operation launched in response to catastrophic flooding in India's Uttarakhand state included the use of an indigenously-developed unmanned air system. Developed by Mumbai-based company Ideaforge, in collaboration with the nation's Defence Research and Development Organisation, the quadrotor was employed by Indian security forces during the aftermath of the natural disaster in mid-June. Three Netra air vehicles were involved in the effort, according to local media reports.
Weighing around 1.5kg (3.3lb) and with a 30min flight endurance, the vertical take-off and landing Netra is controlled from a laptop, using what the Ideaforge describes as an "intuitive, point and click graphical user interface". Imagery collected by the Netra air vehicles assisted relief efforts by India's National Disaster Relief Force, by locating survivors in territory cut off by landslides.
A crashed relief helicopter, as viewed from a Netra air vehicle.
PICTURES: How Netra UAVs helped Indian disaster relief effort
The disaster relief operation launched in response to catastrophic flooding in India's Uttarakhand state included the use of an indigenously-developed unmanned air system. Developed by Mumbai-based company Ideaforge, in collaboration with the nation's Defence Research and Development Organisation, the quadrotor was employed by Indian security forces during the aftermath of the natural disaster in mid-June. Three Netra air vehicles were involved in the effort, according to local media reports.
Weighing around 1.5kg (3.3lb) and with a 30min flight endurance, the vertical take-off and landing Netra is controlled from a laptop, using what the Ideaforge describes as an "intuitive, point and click graphical user interface". Imagery collected by the Netra air vehicles assisted relief efforts by India's National Disaster Relief Force, by locating survivors in territory cut off by landslides.
A crashed relief helicopter, as viewed from a Netra air vehicle.
PICTURES: How Netra UAVs helped Indian disaster relief effort
Abhi9
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DRDO to expedite production of 16 Nishant UAVs for CRPF | idrw.org
DRDO to expedite production of 16 Nishant UAVs for CRPF
With the Army clearing the indigenous Nishant UAV for an extended 4.5 hour surveillance sortie and things progressing well in the final stages of operationalisation for army operations at the battalion level, the DRDO is now focusing on meeting an order of 16 Nishants for the CRPF for anti-Maoist operations. The paramilitary force chose the Nishant as it requires no runway and minimal infrastructure for launch and recovery. The Nishant's launch vehicle carries a rail launcher and the UAV is recovered by a parachute at any chosen location.
The CRPF has had a chance to evaluate the platform and has been impressed with its capabilities. Its decision to own and operate its own fleet of UAVs followed problems with coordination with other agencies like the NTRO. Other paramilitary forces like the BSF, ITBP and SSB are also looking to acquire UAVs and MAVs, and are at various stages of processing such requirements. The police services of several states, including Punjab and Chattisgarh are also looking for mini UAVs for operations in build-up areas.
DRDO to expedite production of 16 Nishant UAVs for CRPF
With the Army clearing the indigenous Nishant UAV for an extended 4.5 hour surveillance sortie and things progressing well in the final stages of operationalisation for army operations at the battalion level, the DRDO is now focusing on meeting an order of 16 Nishants for the CRPF for anti-Maoist operations. The paramilitary force chose the Nishant as it requires no runway and minimal infrastructure for launch and recovery. The Nishant's launch vehicle carries a rail launcher and the UAV is recovered by a parachute at any chosen location.
The CRPF has had a chance to evaluate the platform and has been impressed with its capabilities. Its decision to own and operate its own fleet of UAVs followed problems with coordination with other agencies like the NTRO. Other paramilitary forces like the BSF, ITBP and SSB are also looking to acquire UAVs and MAVs, and are at various stages of processing such requirements. The police services of several states, including Punjab and Chattisgarh are also looking for mini UAVs for operations in build-up areas.
Twinblade
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dealwithit
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IUSAV to be powered by 'dry' Kaveri: Antony
A 'dry' version of the Kaveri turbofan engine will power the Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle (IUSAV). Defence Minister A.K. Antony has informed Parliament about a variant of the Kaveri devoid of reheat/afterburner. In March this year, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had announced, "India's first indigenously designed and developed aircraft engine Kaveri is undergoing certification tests after series of successful flight trials." The DRDO, as earlier reported in SP's, is currently researching cornerstone technologies to make the IUSAV a reality.
The Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle (IUSAV), under ab initio definition and concept development by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Bangalore under Project Director Dr Biju Uthup, is being envisaged and developed as a stealthy autonomous bomber aircraft, incorporating flying wing aerodynamics, low observable features, long endurance capabilities, and the ability to deploy precision guided weapons over enemy territory. Several laboratories under the DRDO will participate in this ambitious aeronautical project.
A 'dry' version of the Kaveri turbofan engine will power the Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle (IUSAV). Defence Minister A.K. Antony has informed Parliament about a variant of the Kaveri devoid of reheat/afterburner. In March this year, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had announced, "India's first indigenously designed and developed aircraft engine Kaveri is undergoing certification tests after series of successful flight trials." The DRDO, as earlier reported in SP's, is currently researching cornerstone technologies to make the IUSAV a reality.
The Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle (IUSAV), under ab initio definition and concept development by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Bangalore under Project Director Dr Biju Uthup, is being envisaged and developed as a stealthy autonomous bomber aircraft, incorporating flying wing aerodynamics, low observable features, long endurance capabilities, and the ability to deploy precision guided weapons over enemy territory. Several laboratories under the DRDO will participate in this ambitious aeronautical project.
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And I ask again... Is this IUSAV the same as DRDU AURA or a different platform?
IUSAV to be powered by 'dry' Kaveri: Antony
A 'dry' version of the Kaveri turbofan engine will power the Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle (IUSAV). Defence Minister A.K. Antony has informed Parliament about a variant of the Kaveri devoid of reheat/afterburner. In March this year, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had announced, "India's first indigenously designed and developed aircraft engine Kaveri is undergoing certification tests after series of successful flight trials." The DRDO, as earlier reported in SP's, is currently researching cornerstone technologies to make the IUSAV a reality.
The Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle (IUSAV), under ab initio definition and concept development by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Bangalore under Project Director Dr Biju Uthup, is being envisaged and developed as a stealthy autonomous bomber aircraft, incorporating flying wing aerodynamics, low observable features, long endurance capabilities, and the ability to deploy precision guided weapons over enemy territory. Several laboratories under the DRDO will participate in this ambitious aeronautical project.
dealwithit
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both are same .....
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CVRDE Developing Retractable Landing Gears For An Unnamed Indian UAV
In all likelihood, being developed for the Rustom-II UAV, for which, however, a separate notification had been issued just a few months back.
The Ahmednagar-based Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment [CVRDE] recently put out a notification soliciting partners for the development of retractable landing gears for a UAV that DRDO is developing. Described as a 'Tricycle Type Retractable Landing Gear System with a steerable nose wheel', the partner is expected to be involved in manufacturing, testing & procurement processes. While they haven't identified the UAV by name, it did specify that it is a 2 tonne-class system. This puts the UAV squarely in the same class as the Rustom-II, that is being designed to have a maximum flight mass of 2600 kg, extendable to 2860 kg. The AURA, powered by the Kaveri Turbofan engine, will be a much higher- weight class of UCAV. In May, this year, the Aeronautical Development Establishment [ADE] , the lead developer in the Rustom-II project, had issued a similar notification, albeit for the direct acquisition of the retractable landing gear, of the same specification. Given that the Tender documents were opened in the month of July, and we now see CVRDE pursuing development of the same, one may infer the respondents could, either, not meet requirements, or it was agreed that a better job can be done indigenously. A fine opportunity for the country's private sector to utilise this offer to get involved in defence projects, acquire capabilities & scale up operation and role, subsequently. Carpe diem.
www.aame.in/2013/09/cvrde-developing-retractable-landing.html?m=1
In all likelihood, being developed for the Rustom-II UAV, for which, however, a separate notification had been issued just a few months back.
The Ahmednagar-based Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment [CVRDE] recently put out a notification soliciting partners for the development of retractable landing gears for a UAV that DRDO is developing. Described as a 'Tricycle Type Retractable Landing Gear System with a steerable nose wheel', the partner is expected to be involved in manufacturing, testing & procurement processes. While they haven't identified the UAV by name, it did specify that it is a 2 tonne-class system. This puts the UAV squarely in the same class as the Rustom-II, that is being designed to have a maximum flight mass of 2600 kg, extendable to 2860 kg. The AURA, powered by the Kaveri Turbofan engine, will be a much higher- weight class of UCAV. In May, this year, the Aeronautical Development Establishment [ADE] , the lead developer in the Rustom-II project, had issued a similar notification, albeit for the direct acquisition of the retractable landing gear, of the same specification. Given that the Tender documents were opened in the month of July, and we now see CVRDE pursuing development of the same, one may infer the respondents could, either, not meet requirements, or it was agreed that a better job can be done indigenously. A fine opportunity for the country's private sector to utilise this offer to get involved in defence projects, acquire capabilities & scale up operation and role, subsequently. Carpe diem.
www.aame.in/2013/09/cvrde-developing-retractable-landing.html?m=1
dealwithit
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Remote control war: Unmanned combat air vehicles in India : Report
India
a) Existing drone inventory
The Indian Armed Forces have been operating UAVs for over a decade. The Indian Army was the first service to acquire drones, in the late 1990s from Israel, and the air force and navy followed. Open Briefing has identified at least 21 different UAVs (plus variants) now in use or in development by India (see Annex A), with four of these being UCAVs (see Annex B).
Of India's 21 different UAVs, 16 are produced by Indian companies and five are acquisitions from Israel. However, only one domestically-produced UAV – the Nishant short-range tactical UAV – is currently operational with India's armed forces (specifically the army), and then only deployed in small numbers. The Indian Army employs about 16 Israeli Herons and at least a dozen Searcher I/IIs for their longer-range surveillance needs. The Indian Navy's aviation arm has stood up three surveillance squadrons since 2006, with a fourth reportedly forming. For the moment, the squadrons are composite, most holding four Herons and six Searcher IIs. The Indian Air Force now has at least five UAV squadrons. Some of these are mixed (composite Heron/Searcher II), while others appear to be single-UAV type.
Recent reports indicate that the air force has also acquired the Harpy and Harop UCAVs to meet their short-term requirements. Both are loitering munitions,intended for SEAD missions and, presumably, high-value targets.Unlike most Western militaries, who increasingly work in joint (integrated service) environments, it should be noted that the Indian Armed Forces are very much tri-service – with the army, navy and airforce vying with each other for resources. Although the overall FY2013 defence budget reflects the trend in Indian military spending for the army to receive the lion's share (spent mostly on salaries and operating costs due to the large number of personnel compared to the other two services), it is the navy and the air force who receive the majority of the procurement budget between them.
b) Future armed drone developments
India's UCAV programme is in its infancy. In early 2009, then Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), VK Saraswat, announced that they would be embarking on the development of an indigenous UCAV. On 26 August 2013, the new head of the DRDO, Avinash Chander, announced that the organisation would test fire precision guided munitions from UAVs within a couple of months.
New Delhi suspects that Beijing's massive drone research and development effort holds unhealthy implications for India. In particular, they are concerned about the mountainous Himalayan region adjacent to the border with China. Such a ru ed and porous region might affect an infiltration by China using stealth UCAVs, which India could neither intercept nor interdict. One way to counter such a threat is for India to develop its own stealth UCAVs with an air-to-air combat capability.
In fact, India is in the early stages of developing such a UCAV: the Aura. Some well-orchestrated leaks to the press have revealed some of the desired capabilities of the Aura. However, given India's ongoing procurement problems, these have been labelled a 'pipedream' by some defence analysts. The Aura's maiden flight could be as early as 2014 but it is not expected to be rolled out operationally before 2019-20. It should be noted that the Aura may have the payload capacity to carry a stripped-down nuclear device if so desired, giving India a powerful first-strike capability.
More realistic at present is the Rustom programme. India's two largest state-owned defence groups, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) have been selected by the Indian Ministry of Defence to assist in the development of an indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, the Rustom-1. The Rustom-2 is an armed variant being developed from a different design to the Rustom-1, being a near carbon copy of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator.
Its first flight is scheduled for February 2014. However, as with all India's best-laid plans to modernise its military, these projects may run into difficulties if their procurement processes are not improved. Procurement is a major problem for India's embryonic defence industry and there are several ongoing corruption cases, causing some defence contracts to be suspended or cancelled. Given this, India remains largely dependent on foreign purchases of major combat equipment, notably from Russia and Israel.This includes expensive purchases of UCAVs to fulfil immediate requirements.
c) Armed drone deployment considerations
During the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, the attackers approached by sea and ingressed to their targets via the busy port facilities. Following these attacks, the navy, coast guard and civil maritime police and port security were tasked with building an enhanced three-tier coastal surveillance grid,in which naval and coast guard air assets would play a pivotal role. Although priority may have been given to operational changes and more effective measures to react to such incidents, evolving joint command arrangements would be ideal for a concerted use of drones within the country's coastal security grid. However, due to the nature of the subject, public discussion about such operationally-sensitive matters has been and will remain minimal.
With Kashmir in mind, India has keenly watched the United States' successful use of UCAVs to prosecute attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas, such as Waziristan. While the Indian Army conducts a ressive patrolling, ambushes, cordon and search, and other operations related to counter- insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, there is no policy of 'hot pursuit' (that is tracking and striking militants in their training and supply camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir). Drones give India more options in this respect and the army and air force may well carefully consider their use against high-value targets and for other missions over the region. For now, UAVs are providing excellent inputs about any intrusions over the Line of Control and terrain analysis for operational planning purposes. Undoubtedly, they are also used in detection/engaging artillery missions from longer- range artillery and to aid short-range ballistic missiles.
Doctrinal and operational changes, including those that may relate to the future use of drones, are being hampered by poor cooperation between the armed services and the challenges in defence procurement already mentioned. Chief among these changes is the army's Cold Start doctrine. The Indian Army has evolved from a generally static defensive doctrine to that of offensive-defence, requiring highly flexible mobility. The aim is to form eight integrated battle groups, combining air force and army units under joint (in effect, army) command.
While the focus is Pakistan, Cold Start may also take into account the need for India to fight a possible two-front war – against Pakistan to the northwest and China to the northeast. Within this doctrine, what UAVs the army has would be tasked with battlefield surveillance and target identification for artillery, missiles or air strikes. The even fewer UCAVs that are allocated to the army would be used sparingly, such as in attacks on enemy headquarters, weapons of mass destruction (particularly nuclear weapons sites) and high-value targets, but would have little impact compared to the broader array of large-scale mechanised operations.
Also of interest is the Indian Navy's revised maritime doctrine published in August 2009. Notably,the navy is developing three carrier battle groups – recognising the need for aircraft beyond the range and abilities of shore-based maritime patrol aircraft. However, current planning discounts seaborne air superiority because of the age of their sole aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat, the delay in delivery of the INS Vikramaditya (the refitted Soviet/Russian Baku/Admiral Gorshkov) and the fact that the INS Vikrant will not be commissioned until 2018. While there will very likely be a future role for drones within this emerging doctrine, it is too early to say with confidence what that might be.
It is also worth noting that some state police agencies are deploying UAVs in response to internal security challenges. For example, Andhra Pradesh in southeast India reportedly has two drones for monitoring Naxal activities in the Nallamala forests and along the Andhra-Odisha border. Other rebel-affected states, including Jharkhand, Chhattisarh, Odisha and Maharashtra, either have or are planning to procure UAVs. Reports indicate that the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force is planning to acquire tactical shoulder-launched mini-UAVs and is demanding that it be allowed to acquire its own fleet of strategic UAVs. These and other developments make it clear that drones will play an increasingly important role in attempts to monitor and control the Naxalite/Maoist insurgency in India.
India
a) Existing drone inventory
The Indian Armed Forces have been operating UAVs for over a decade. The Indian Army was the first service to acquire drones, in the late 1990s from Israel, and the air force and navy followed. Open Briefing has identified at least 21 different UAVs (plus variants) now in use or in development by India (see Annex A), with four of these being UCAVs (see Annex B).
Of India's 21 different UAVs, 16 are produced by Indian companies and five are acquisitions from Israel. However, only one domestically-produced UAV – the Nishant short-range tactical UAV – is currently operational with India's armed forces (specifically the army), and then only deployed in small numbers. The Indian Army employs about 16 Israeli Herons and at least a dozen Searcher I/IIs for their longer-range surveillance needs. The Indian Navy's aviation arm has stood up three surveillance squadrons since 2006, with a fourth reportedly forming. For the moment, the squadrons are composite, most holding four Herons and six Searcher IIs. The Indian Air Force now has at least five UAV squadrons. Some of these are mixed (composite Heron/Searcher II), while others appear to be single-UAV type.
Recent reports indicate that the air force has also acquired the Harpy and Harop UCAVs to meet their short-term requirements. Both are loitering munitions,intended for SEAD missions and, presumably, high-value targets.Unlike most Western militaries, who increasingly work in joint (integrated service) environments, it should be noted that the Indian Armed Forces are very much tri-service – with the army, navy and airforce vying with each other for resources. Although the overall FY2013 defence budget reflects the trend in Indian military spending for the army to receive the lion's share (spent mostly on salaries and operating costs due to the large number of personnel compared to the other two services), it is the navy and the air force who receive the majority of the procurement budget between them.
b) Future armed drone developments
India's UCAV programme is in its infancy. In early 2009, then Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), VK Saraswat, announced that they would be embarking on the development of an indigenous UCAV. On 26 August 2013, the new head of the DRDO, Avinash Chander, announced that the organisation would test fire precision guided munitions from UAVs within a couple of months.
New Delhi suspects that Beijing's massive drone research and development effort holds unhealthy implications for India. In particular, they are concerned about the mountainous Himalayan region adjacent to the border with China. Such a ru ed and porous region might affect an infiltration by China using stealth UCAVs, which India could neither intercept nor interdict. One way to counter such a threat is for India to develop its own stealth UCAVs with an air-to-air combat capability.
In fact, India is in the early stages of developing such a UCAV: the Aura. Some well-orchestrated leaks to the press have revealed some of the desired capabilities of the Aura. However, given India's ongoing procurement problems, these have been labelled a 'pipedream' by some defence analysts. The Aura's maiden flight could be as early as 2014 but it is not expected to be rolled out operationally before 2019-20. It should be noted that the Aura may have the payload capacity to carry a stripped-down nuclear device if so desired, giving India a powerful first-strike capability.
More realistic at present is the Rustom programme. India's two largest state-owned defence groups, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) have been selected by the Indian Ministry of Defence to assist in the development of an indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, the Rustom-1. The Rustom-2 is an armed variant being developed from a different design to the Rustom-1, being a near carbon copy of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator.
Its first flight is scheduled for February 2014. However, as with all India's best-laid plans to modernise its military, these projects may run into difficulties if their procurement processes are not improved. Procurement is a major problem for India's embryonic defence industry and there are several ongoing corruption cases, causing some defence contracts to be suspended or cancelled. Given this, India remains largely dependent on foreign purchases of major combat equipment, notably from Russia and Israel.This includes expensive purchases of UCAVs to fulfil immediate requirements.
c) Armed drone deployment considerations
During the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, the attackers approached by sea and ingressed to their targets via the busy port facilities. Following these attacks, the navy, coast guard and civil maritime police and port security were tasked with building an enhanced three-tier coastal surveillance grid,in which naval and coast guard air assets would play a pivotal role. Although priority may have been given to operational changes and more effective measures to react to such incidents, evolving joint command arrangements would be ideal for a concerted use of drones within the country's coastal security grid. However, due to the nature of the subject, public discussion about such operationally-sensitive matters has been and will remain minimal.
With Kashmir in mind, India has keenly watched the United States' successful use of UCAVs to prosecute attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas, such as Waziristan. While the Indian Army conducts a ressive patrolling, ambushes, cordon and search, and other operations related to counter- insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, there is no policy of 'hot pursuit' (that is tracking and striking militants in their training and supply camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir). Drones give India more options in this respect and the army and air force may well carefully consider their use against high-value targets and for other missions over the region. For now, UAVs are providing excellent inputs about any intrusions over the Line of Control and terrain analysis for operational planning purposes. Undoubtedly, they are also used in detection/engaging artillery missions from longer- range artillery and to aid short-range ballistic missiles.
Doctrinal and operational changes, including those that may relate to the future use of drones, are being hampered by poor cooperation between the armed services and the challenges in defence procurement already mentioned. Chief among these changes is the army's Cold Start doctrine. The Indian Army has evolved from a generally static defensive doctrine to that of offensive-defence, requiring highly flexible mobility. The aim is to form eight integrated battle groups, combining air force and army units under joint (in effect, army) command.
While the focus is Pakistan, Cold Start may also take into account the need for India to fight a possible two-front war – against Pakistan to the northwest and China to the northeast. Within this doctrine, what UAVs the army has would be tasked with battlefield surveillance and target identification for artillery, missiles or air strikes. The even fewer UCAVs that are allocated to the army would be used sparingly, such as in attacks on enemy headquarters, weapons of mass destruction (particularly nuclear weapons sites) and high-value targets, but would have little impact compared to the broader array of large-scale mechanised operations.
Also of interest is the Indian Navy's revised maritime doctrine published in August 2009. Notably,the navy is developing three carrier battle groups – recognising the need for aircraft beyond the range and abilities of shore-based maritime patrol aircraft. However, current planning discounts seaborne air superiority because of the age of their sole aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat, the delay in delivery of the INS Vikramaditya (the refitted Soviet/Russian Baku/Admiral Gorshkov) and the fact that the INS Vikrant will not be commissioned until 2018. While there will very likely be a future role for drones within this emerging doctrine, it is too early to say with confidence what that might be.
It is also worth noting that some state police agencies are deploying UAVs in response to internal security challenges. For example, Andhra Pradesh in southeast India reportedly has two drones for monitoring Naxal activities in the Nallamala forests and along the Andhra-Odisha border. Other rebel-affected states, including Jharkhand, Chhattisarh, Odisha and Maharashtra, either have or are planning to procure UAVs. Reports indicate that the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force is planning to acquire tactical shoulder-launched mini-UAVs and is demanding that it be allowed to acquire its own fleet of strategic UAVs. These and other developments make it clear that drones will play an increasingly important role in attempts to monitor and control the Naxalite/Maoist insurgency in India.
Twinblade
Senior Member
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Geopolitics magazine, July issue:-
The CRPF had only one Heron UAV that was being operated by NTRO (flown from Hyderabad, as reported earlier in the media, because Air Force did not want to deploy it's UAV operators in hinterlands). CRPF is now looking into procuring 16 Nishant UAV for anti-maoist operations.
About Rustom-1, might go into production next year. A FOPEN radar payload for Rustom-1 (derived from a newer version of foliage penetration version of BFSR) is close to deployment. It would assist massively in anti-naxal operations.
July 2013
The CRPF had only one Heron UAV that was being operated by NTRO (flown from Hyderabad, as reported earlier in the media, because Air Force did not want to deploy it's UAV operators in hinterlands). CRPF is now looking into procuring 16 Nishant UAV for anti-maoist operations.
About Rustom-1, might go into production next year. A FOPEN radar payload for Rustom-1 (derived from a newer version of foliage penetration version of BFSR) is close to deployment. It would assist massively in anti-naxal operations.
July 2013
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HAL scouts partner for new UAV family | idrw.org
SOURCE: SP Guide Publications
With its order books full across manned platforms, including fighters and helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has decided to take the big plunge into unmanned air systems, and wants to do it quickly in order to be ready to compete for several ongoing and anticipated tenders from Indian and foreign security agencies. For starters, HAL has invited interest from global and Indian majors in a holistic joint venture: joint development, manufacturing and marketing of a family of UAVs: a fixed-wing medium altitude long-range (MALE) UAV, fixed-wing short-range tactical UAV and a mini UAV for use at the infantry platoon level. Indications are that HAL is not purely looking for ab-initio development models, but possible deep modifications of existing platforms as well.
The company has formulated a detailed process to identify a partner and then thrash out a business model. Interestingly, HAL has asked interested vendors to suggest methods and business plans going forward on the programme. HAL is hoping to sign a deal with a partner this financial year with everything in place to begin development work.
"HAL is expanding its reach to cover new product lines. As the UAS business in India and other countries is expanding, there is a need for collaboration to face the competitive scenario," HAL has said in its invitation to prospective vendors. The company recently held a series of meetings where chairman R.K. Tyagi stressed on the need for a sharp diversification in the company's product portfolio. Companies that have already sat up to take notice of HAL's interest in joint venture activity include BAE Systems, IAI, Dassault Aviation, Northrop-Grumman, EADS and others.
HAL has made detailed technical stipulations for the family of UAVs it is seeking to partner in. The medium altitude long range UAV will be a multirole platform for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, data relay and communications, scientific and weather forecasting, in addition to disaster management and relief coordination. The MALE UAV will be in the two tonne class, 15 metres long and with a wingspan of 30 metres, capable of deploying a payload of 500 kg, 50 hours endurance and a top speed of 500 km/h. HAL has listed the mission profiles for the short range tactical UAV as battlefield target acquisition, battlefield damage assessment, surveillance and reconnaissance and correction of artillery fire, while the smallest of the three, the mini UAV, will presumably be developed for infantry level operations by regular troops, paramiliary and special forces, including in anti-Naxal operations.
A senior MoD official confirmed HAL's plans, and added, "HAL had identified a yawning gap in the unmanned space. This was a space that is principally being addressed by DRDO and certain other agencies, as also the private sector in a big way. Keeping with its core competencies in aerospace applications, HAL has decided that this is the next big product thrust area. The MoD has approved the move, but with conditions that HAL cannot reinvent the wheel. It is for this reason that it is looking for a suitable technology-cum-business partner either in India or abroad. If the partner is foreign, all development work and manufacture will need to be within India."
The only unmanned vehicle that HAL currently builds is the Lakshya targetting drone, and is supplying the Chetak helicopter platform as its share in the IAI-HAL naval rotory UAV (NRUAV) programme, that has lately run into serious delays. With several current and ongoing requirements for UAVs being articulated not just by the armed forces, but also the Home Ministry-administered paramilitary forces, state police services, intelligence agencies and private security agencies, there is a potentially enormous list of contracts that HAL finds itself excluded from by virtue of not being in the UAV space.
"Manned aircraft platforms will remain HAL's overarching focus for the foreseeable future, but the importance of unmanned systems cannot be stressed enough. It is crucial that there is a mindset shift towards understanding what unmanned systems can achieve, and there must be a paradigm shift in the way HAL approaches its development processes for the future," HAL's Chairman R.K. Tyagi is quoted to have told his employees earlier this year at a meeting called specifically on the new thrust areas being drawn up by the company.
SOURCE: SP Guide Publications
With its order books full across manned platforms, including fighters and helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has decided to take the big plunge into unmanned air systems, and wants to do it quickly in order to be ready to compete for several ongoing and anticipated tenders from Indian and foreign security agencies. For starters, HAL has invited interest from global and Indian majors in a holistic joint venture: joint development, manufacturing and marketing of a family of UAVs: a fixed-wing medium altitude long-range (MALE) UAV, fixed-wing short-range tactical UAV and a mini UAV for use at the infantry platoon level. Indications are that HAL is not purely looking for ab-initio development models, but possible deep modifications of existing platforms as well.
The company has formulated a detailed process to identify a partner and then thrash out a business model. Interestingly, HAL has asked interested vendors to suggest methods and business plans going forward on the programme. HAL is hoping to sign a deal with a partner this financial year with everything in place to begin development work.
"HAL is expanding its reach to cover new product lines. As the UAS business in India and other countries is expanding, there is a need for collaboration to face the competitive scenario," HAL has said in its invitation to prospective vendors. The company recently held a series of meetings where chairman R.K. Tyagi stressed on the need for a sharp diversification in the company's product portfolio. Companies that have already sat up to take notice of HAL's interest in joint venture activity include BAE Systems, IAI, Dassault Aviation, Northrop-Grumman, EADS and others.
HAL has made detailed technical stipulations for the family of UAVs it is seeking to partner in. The medium altitude long range UAV will be a multirole platform for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, data relay and communications, scientific and weather forecasting, in addition to disaster management and relief coordination. The MALE UAV will be in the two tonne class, 15 metres long and with a wingspan of 30 metres, capable of deploying a payload of 500 kg, 50 hours endurance and a top speed of 500 km/h. HAL has listed the mission profiles for the short range tactical UAV as battlefield target acquisition, battlefield damage assessment, surveillance and reconnaissance and correction of artillery fire, while the smallest of the three, the mini UAV, will presumably be developed for infantry level operations by regular troops, paramiliary and special forces, including in anti-Naxal operations.
A senior MoD official confirmed HAL's plans, and added, "HAL had identified a yawning gap in the unmanned space. This was a space that is principally being addressed by DRDO and certain other agencies, as also the private sector in a big way. Keeping with its core competencies in aerospace applications, HAL has decided that this is the next big product thrust area. The MoD has approved the move, but with conditions that HAL cannot reinvent the wheel. It is for this reason that it is looking for a suitable technology-cum-business partner either in India or abroad. If the partner is foreign, all development work and manufacture will need to be within India."
The only unmanned vehicle that HAL currently builds is the Lakshya targetting drone, and is supplying the Chetak helicopter platform as its share in the IAI-HAL naval rotory UAV (NRUAV) programme, that has lately run into serious delays. With several current and ongoing requirements for UAVs being articulated not just by the armed forces, but also the Home Ministry-administered paramilitary forces, state police services, intelligence agencies and private security agencies, there is a potentially enormous list of contracts that HAL finds itself excluded from by virtue of not being in the UAV space.
"Manned aircraft platforms will remain HAL's overarching focus for the foreseeable future, but the importance of unmanned systems cannot be stressed enough. It is crucial that there is a mindset shift towards understanding what unmanned systems can achieve, and there must be a paradigm shift in the way HAL approaches its development processes for the future," HAL's Chairman R.K. Tyagi is quoted to have told his employees earlier this year at a meeting called specifically on the new thrust areas being drawn up by the company.
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The Hunt Is On To Find An Engine To Power The Rustom II UAV
The Hunt Is On To Find An Engine To Power The Rustom II UAV - AA Me, IN
The Hunt Is On To Find An Engine To Power The Rustom II UAV - AA Me, IN
Twinblade
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Tender out for Rustom-II's
SATCOM Antenna
With its first flight scheduled for February 2014, the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has floated a global tender to acquire a SATCOM Airborne Antenna Assembly System (SAAAS) for the Rustom-II medium altitude longe endurance UAV. The SATCOM antenna, a communication bridge between the air vehicle and ground station will function in the frequency range of Ku-band for the beyond line of sight communication, in which the uplink carries aircraft command and control, in addition to voice information while the downlink carries multi sensor payload information and multiplexed telemetry data as and when required. The SATCOM parabolic dish antenna will need to be between 0.6-0.73 metres in diameter. Vendors participating in the tender will also need to supply inertial navigation and GPS sensors as part of the package. The ADE has stipulated that the SAAAS needs to be operational at non-pressurised altitudes of upto 35,000 feet. The ADE has provided an extremely detailed list of specifications for the SATCOM's performance. The work package will be divided into two phases, with the first constituting delivery of three airworthy systems to ADE and the second phase comprising flight testing and performance evaluation of one of the systems on a Rustom-II flying platform. This is likely to take place next year once flights begin. ADE has strongly indicated that it prefers a modified existing system to cut down on time. In March this year, SP's had reported how the DRDO had also decided to outsource the SATCOM datalink for the Rustom- II. The ADE has also called for interest in development of the Automatic Take-off and Landing System (ATOL) for the Rustom-II.
SP's Aviation - SP’s Exculsive
SATCOM Antenna
With its first flight scheduled for February 2014, the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has floated a global tender to acquire a SATCOM Airborne Antenna Assembly System (SAAAS) for the Rustom-II medium altitude longe endurance UAV. The SATCOM antenna, a communication bridge between the air vehicle and ground station will function in the frequency range of Ku-band for the beyond line of sight communication, in which the uplink carries aircraft command and control, in addition to voice information while the downlink carries multi sensor payload information and multiplexed telemetry data as and when required. The SATCOM parabolic dish antenna will need to be between 0.6-0.73 metres in diameter. Vendors participating in the tender will also need to supply inertial navigation and GPS sensors as part of the package. The ADE has stipulated that the SAAAS needs to be operational at non-pressurised altitudes of upto 35,000 feet. The ADE has provided an extremely detailed list of specifications for the SATCOM's performance. The work package will be divided into two phases, with the first constituting delivery of three airworthy systems to ADE and the second phase comprising flight testing and performance evaluation of one of the systems on a Rustom-II flying platform. This is likely to take place next year once flights begin. ADE has strongly indicated that it prefers a modified existing system to cut down on time. In March this year, SP's had reported how the DRDO had also decided to outsource the SATCOM datalink for the Rustom- II. The ADE has also called for interest in development of the Automatic Take-off and Landing System (ATOL) for the Rustom-II.
SP's Aviation - SP’s Exculsive
WMD
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Government clears proposal for buying 15 Israeli-made Heron UAVs
Boosting surveillance capabilities of the Indian Army along the borders with China and Pakistan, the government has cleared the procurement of around 15 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Israel at a cost of around Rs.1,200 crore.
A proposal to procure these Heron UAVs was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at its recent meeting, sources told PTI here.
The around Rs.1200-proposal for procuring the UAVs will bolster the Israeli-origin Heron and Searcher fleet of the force which deploys them on both the eastern and western sectors, they said.
The force has a fleet of more than 40 such vehicles, which are expected to undergo upgrades in the near future.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) flies the Israeli-made Searcher II and Heron UAVs for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes and about 100 Searchers are in operation on Indian borders in western, northern and eastern regions.
After the upgrades, the air force would be capable of operating these aircraft from far-off distances and control them through satellite communication system.
The army also operates a sizable number of UAVs and has deployed them in borders along the western and eastern fronts.
The army was the first to induct UAVs in the 90s starting with Searcher Mark I and Searcher Mark II which could operate at an altitude of 15,000 feet and finally the Heron, which can operate at 30,000 feet.
Army's Northern Command had recently issued a global tender for procuring latest miniature unmanned aerial vehicles for gathering intelligence and carrying out reconnaissance of areas along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and Sino-India border.
The Navy has also three operational squadrons of the Israeli UAVs deployed along both the eastern and the western sea boards.
Read more at: Government clears proposal for buying 15 Israeli-made Heron UAVs : North, News - India Today
Twinblade
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Did you even bother to read two posts above ? Are you that lazy ?
