Rustom 2/TAPAS/BH-201 MALE UAV News Updates and Discussions

[Kunal Biswas]

Army has its own UAVs and attached to various branches of Army itself, For example there are UAV wing attached with Artillery, And Artillery command has power to use it as per his needs..

This is a Indian Army`s searcher 1 UAV of Israeli origin, Its attachment with Artillery.

Indian Army UAV feature camouflage paint instead of gray of Airforce and Navy.

Thanks for your response. Can you also tell us under whose command these drones are usually put?

 

[Rahul Singh]

trust me this will also never inducted like rustom 1. i have full trust in DRDO

Rustom 1 was never meant to be inducted. As originally conceived it was only to become a feeder program for larger Rustom 2. Many critical technologies such as data link, Sat-Link, autonomous take-off landing and navigation were tested and realized on Rustom 1 first before being passed onto Rustom 2. In fact Rustom 1 has taken care of every aspect of UAV operations (minus air-frame) for Rustom 2.

The problem that has troubled Rustom 2 however is an under power engine because of overweight air-frame. ADE (not ADA) has been working on this issue for sometime and beginning of flight testing shows settlement of many issues, if not all. Also with MTCR membership ADE is now free to choose for a powerful engine for it, if so it feels necessary. All in all Rustom 2 is in a better state than it was before.

As far as induction of Rustom 1 is concerned. Well as usual both IAF and IA are waiting for some astronomical best to arrive before they have their say about induction. As ironic as it gets Rustom-1's mirror equivalent Chinese CH-4 is being widely operated by Pakistani forces. Anyway in the meantime, again, as usual, Navy is already ready to induct Rustom 1 and operate it alongside Searcher UAV for maritime patrol operations. Rustom 1 with 12 hrs endurance very well fits into that role. Though apart from maritime patrol it can also carry two HeliNa missiles (see pic below) and can be employed in anti-terrorists operation at sea.

the navy now agrees the Rustom-1 could conduct maritime surveillance

Rustom-1 with 2x HeliNa

Chinese CH-3

 

[rohit b3]

Now the IAF and IA would try to fastrack the accusations of drones from Israel. Lol.

 

[Prashant12]

--------------------------

 

[Prashant12]

-----------------------------------

 

[Prashant12]

Rustom II Video:



--------------------------------------

 

[tejas warrior]

RUSTOM's first flight video.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Not Nishant but Panchi, there is no Nishant in production as its being obsolete, Its successor is Panchi which has now ATOL (Automatic Take-Off and Landing ) feature and made mostly of fiber.

• Army:Three Rustom UCAVs and one ground station at a cost of $60 million and 12 more in the future; 10 Rustom-2 UCAVs for $342.3 million; 12 Nishant UAVs at a cost of $5 million each; and three hybrid mini-UAVs and one ground station for $350,000.

 

[republic_roi97]

Wait a minute its a MALE UAV not UCAV right ?? That would mean no attacking ??

 

[Bornubus]

Army has its own UAVs and attached to various branches of Army itself, For example there are UAV wing attached with Artillery, And Artillery command has power to use it as per his needs..

This is a Indian Army`s searcher 1 UAV of Israeli origin, Its attachment with Artillery.

Indian Army UAV feature camouflage paint instead of gray of Airforce and Navy.

Kunal Bhai i know these UAV could provide accurate coordinates for Arty assault much better than human forward Arty observers but what about enemy Air defense especially Manpads ?


In this regard Human arty observers are better.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

It is better to lose a drone than a skilled solider, It should be norm to place machine before human ( Exception can be in few situation )

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Wait a minute its a MALE UAV not UCAV right ?? That would mean no attacking ??

No, it's a UCAV, will be equipped with weapons later.

 

[Prashant12]

Rustom-2 UCAV makes maiden flight
If the DRDO sticks to schedules, Rustom-2 might see its entry into Services by 2019.

Bengaluru: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully flight tested medium-altitude, long endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) Rustom-2 from its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Challakere in Chitradurga district of Karnataka.

According to DRDO sources, the first flight lasted around 10 minutes.

“The take-off and landing were perfect. There were no surprises during the first flight. Rustom-2 will undertake similar flights in the next couple of days and we are now looking at its aerodynamic features while airborne,” a scientist linked to the project said.

Interestingly, DRDO officials are tight-lipped about the first flight. The pre-flight test activities were in progress at the ATR for the past few months.

The project is running behind the schedule and DRDO has a long way to go before Rustom-2 can be inducted into the services. Once the developmental tests are over, the UCAV will have to pass the critical user trials, clearing its possible entry into armed forces.

If the DRDO sticks to schedules, Rustom-2 might see its entry into Services by 2019.

DRDO said the flight accomplished the main objectives of proving the flying platform, such as take-off, bank, level flight and landing to name a few. Interestingly, DRDO for the first time has come up with a new name for Rustom-2 -- as TAPAS 201.

"The UAV is being developed to carry out the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the Services with an endurance of 24 hours. It is capable of carrying out different combinations of payloads like Medium Range Electro Optic (MREO), Long Range Electro Optic (LREO), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and Situational Awareness Payloads (SAP) to perform missions during day and night," claims DRDO.


http://english.mathrubhumi.com/news...-aeronautical-test-range-challakere-1.1509218

 

[Kunal Biswas]

The future of CAS is now in hands of UCAV, This sector should get top priority.

I hope people in charge understand the critical condition of this project, Specially top brass.

Push development speed like they did with Tejas.

 

[G10]

No, it's a UCAV, will be equipped with weapons later.

I dont think with this airframe weaponisation is possible. They need to move props. Under the wings is not a good idea.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

I dont think with this airframe weaponisation is possible. They need to move props. Under the wings is not a good idea.

All I know it's UCAV since I posted this thread and as per DRDO Website. And that's all what he asked. Agreed with your point but my comment isn't necessary.

 

[3deffect]

kaun keh rha tha Rustom 2 mein Brahmos lagayenge DRDO wale:biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2:

 

[SajeevJino]

........................................................................

 

[ezsasa]

I dont think with this airframe weaponisation is possible. They need to move props. Under the wings is not a good idea.

Weaponisation is possible. Look at the spot where white and orange meet on the wing.

 

[Bahamut]

What missile will it carry and how many ? What sensor are used ?