UAVs and UCAVs

[youngindian]

India's drones will have 'namma' mark on them

http://idrw.org/?p=1556

 

[p2prada]

India's drones will have 'namma' mark on them

http://idrw.org/?p=1556

For all those wondering what "namma" means, it stands for "ours" in Kannada.

So literally the headline would read "India's drone will have our mark on them."

It mainly indicates the use of Kaveri engine.

I have no idea why the journo used a word most people will not understand.

 

[plugwater]

For all those wondering what "namma" means, it stands for "ours" in Kannada.

So literally the headline would read "India's drone will have our mark on them."

It mainly indicates the use of Kaveri engine.

I have no idea why the journo used a word most people will not understand.

They should rename AURA to Namma UAV

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Unmanned_military_aircraft_get_a_boost_999.html

Unmanned military aircraft get a boost

Unmanned military aircraft running on lithium-ion batteries received a boost for future development with a new a U.S. Air Force contract designed to fund work on longer lasting and cheaper batteries of the mineral compound.

Lithium-ion batteries are seen by military industry analysts as a major, stable source of power for operating small to medium-sized machines. Success with the ongoing research will mean that lithium-ion batteries could also run consumer items at lower costs and with greater efficiency than at present.

The $750,000 Air Force contract went to ADA Technologies, Inc., which will use the money for further research on developing the innovative nanomaterial-enabled power system for use in small to micro unmanned aircraft systems.

Varieties of UAS are seen as military craft of the future as they are less controversial than craft requiring human crews. At the same time, lithium-ion batteries are generally regarded as a green technology as they can be recharged virtually indefinitely.

Lithium ions in a lithium-ion battery move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging. Unlike pure lithium batteries, which aren't chargeable and add to global litter, lithium-ion electrochemical cells use an intercalated lithium compound as the electrode material instead of metallic lithium.

Lithium-ion batteries are becoming more common in consumer electronics. But they need to be denser with a slower release of power to be useful for military vehicles, particularly unmanned craft. Military experts say the batteries also need to be cheaper to run when scaled up for military uses rather than home electronics.

ADA said it will create a high-performance, cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture lithium-ion battery that meets the power generation and storage requirements of military UAS. It said the next phase of research will involve collaboration with SouthWest NanoTechnologies, which has headquarters in Norman, Okla., and an unnamed major lithium-ion battery manufacturer. ADA has headquarters in Littleton, Colo.

Military UAS have the potential for use in a variety of indoor and outdoor missions and, therefore, must be highly mobile and portable. Many of the possible uses for UAS require significant endurance.

Current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries aren't capable of providing sufficient energy while remaining within the military's size constraints. As a result, significant advancements in lithium-ion battery energy and power density are required to enable UAS to execute their intended missions.

ADA says that during the first phase of its research, it made significant progress in the development of advanced nanocomposite electrodes for lithium-ion batteries that possess substantially greater energy and power density, life cycle and safety as compared to current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries.

The new phase of research will focus on establishing electrode synthesis protocols and relevant-scale electrode processes. This program will culminate in the design, production and demonstration of a full-scale prototype lithium-ion battery for integration into a military UAS.

Research into lithium iron as a high-capacity power source has fed into a rising global demand for lithium. Several Latin American countries, led by Chile, have welcomed investment to develop their lithium reserves.

Prices for lithium have risen amid intense competition among auto manufacturers to develop consumer vehicles of choice using lithium-ion batteries.

It may be a while before cars running efficiently on lithium-ion batteries hit the road but the lighter unmanned aircraft may be the decisive next step in the development of the metal's full potential as a major source of power for environmentally friendly transport.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...k-to-guard-Chandigarh/articleshow/8038295.cms

'Golden Hawk' to guard Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: Taking a step forward in the modernisation of its police force, Chandigarh will have the "Golden Hawk", an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), to keep an eye on the city.

Officials of the Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO) in Bangalore Wednesday gave a live demonstration of the UAV called "Golden Hawk" before senior officials of Chandigarh police.

"The UAV will be very helpful in maintaining law and order during VIP visits, rallies, demonstrations and in case of any disaster or calamity," PK Srivastava, inspector general of Chandigarh police, told reporters.

The Golden Hawk can fly up to the height of 100 metres and can do continuous recording for 30 minutes, he added.

"After seeing the recording, police can plan their strategy accordingly. We are satisfied with the trial," he added.

The "Golden Hawk" will run on battery and can fly at a stretch for 30 minutes. Night vision cameras are also installed on it. Special training will be provided to Chandigarh police officials to operate the device," said another official.

 

[shuvo@y2k10]

india's mav developement.

http://www.suasnews.com/2010/02/246/indian-mavs-shown-at-defence-expo-2010/
http://www.suasnews.com/2010/12/3028/tata-subsidiary-invests-in-mavs/
http://www.suasnews.com/2010/09/1489/indian-mav-for-intelligent-bird-scaring/

 

[p2prada]

We are not developing a UCAV. We are currently developing a recon and strike drone. That's all.

Let's not jump over this, even the latest American prototype is merely a stealthy recon and strike capable drone.

 

[Armand2REP]

We are not developing a UCAV. We are currently developing a recon and strike drone. That's all.

If it can strike, it is a UCAV.

 

[nitesh]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...lying-for-a-fortnight/articleshow/8062655.cms
After combat drones, India eyes solar-powered UAVs capable of flying for a fortnight

The high-altitude, long endurance (HALE) solar-powered UAV will not just reduce Indian military's carbon footprint but more importantly provide a cost-effective and flexible 24x7 ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) platform akin to "a pseudo-satellite" orbiting closer to the ground.

"Yes, Army and IAF have asked us to develop the solar-powered HALE UAV. Initial work is in progress for such a drone which can undertake a 15-day continuous flight over 30,000-feet," DRDO's chief controller R&D (aeronautics) Dr Prahlada told TOI.

 

[youngindian]

After combat drones, India eyes solar-powered UAVs capable of flying for a fortnight

Apr 23, 2011,

NEW DELHI: After launching development of stealth UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles), India is now also looking at designing solar-powered spy drones which can cruise in the sky for several days at a time.

The high-altitude, long endurance (HALE) solar-powered UAV will not just reduce Indian military's carbon footprint but more importantly provide a cost-effective and flexible 24x7 ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) platform akin to "a pseudo-satellite" orbiting closer to the ground.

"Yes, Army and IAF have asked us to develop the solar-powered HALE UAV. Initial work is in progress for such a drone which can undertake a 15-day continuous flight over 30,000-feet," DRDO's chief controller R&D (aeronautics) Dr Prahlada told TOI.

The drone will harvest solar energy during the day, storing it in fuel cells to provide power for electric motors for night flying. "Solar efficiency is low but we are looking at a payload of around 50 kg (sensors, cameras etc). We will seek some collaboration from either US or European companies," said Dr Prahlada.

This comes at a time when several international aviation majors are doing cutting-edge research on solar UAVs. Boeing, for instance, is developing a UAV with a 400-feet wingspan, called Solar Eagle, which can operate continuously for an astonishing five years. It is being described as a "zero-maintenance, launch-and-leave UAV".

With remotely-piloted spy as well as combat drones being seen as major force-multipliers or game-changers in modern-day warfare, DRDO has launched a series of UAV programmes for Indian armed forces, which have largely depended on Israeli drones like Searchers and Herons till now.

As was first reported by TOI recently, this includes the secretive AURA (autonomous unmanned research aircraft) programme to develop UCAVs capable of firing missiles, bombs and PGMs (precision-guided munitions).

The Cabinet Committee on Security has also now cleared a Rs 1,500 crore DRDO project to develop the Rustom-H MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) drone, capable of operating for 24 hours with a 350-kg payload. "Its first flight will take place in two years," said Dr Prahlada.

Then, of course, there is the smaller Rustom-I drone, with an 8-12 hour endurance and a 100-kg payload, as well as the already-developed Nishant UAV, which has a 4.5 hour endurance level.

Army, in fact, has projected a requirement of seven "troops" (akin to squadrons) of Rustom drones. As for Nishants, Dr Prahlada said, "Army has already inducted four such drones, which can be launched from hydro-pneumatic launchers without the need of runways, while eight more are being manufactured."

"Nishants can carry electro-optical, electronic intelligence and communication intelligence payloads. Since they can also be used for counter-insurgency operations, the home ministry has also expressed interest in seeing their operations," he added.

With DRDO working on the entire spectrum ranging from hand-held mini to full-fledged combat drones, a dedicated aeronautical test range from them is also coming up at Challakere, around 220 km from Bangalore. "It will be fully operational in two years," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...lying-for-a-fortnight/articleshow/8062655.cms

 

[niharjhatn]

What do we know about the development of stealth ucavs so far? Quick google only shows same article again and again, any one have links to something more meaningful?

 

[Anshu Attri]

Trials successful, Netra to enter production stage


http://bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=14662

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) Netra developed by the Defence Research and Development (DRDO) will soon enter the production stage. Talking to Newsline, Alok Mukherjee, a senior scientist with the Research and Development Establishment (RnDE), a DRDO laboratory, said, "Netra has undergone successful trails and is soon expected to enter the production stage. Army as well as the paramilitary forces have shown keen interest in Netra."

He, however, refused to comment on the orders or the details of the same. Netra, which has a live video and a thermal imaging equipment, was tested in the naxal-affected areas of Chhatisgarh in view of their utility to fight naxal menace in these areas.

Netra along with various other unmanned vehicles and robots would be on display at the Symposium of Robotics and Unmanned Vehicles at the RnDE campus on April 28 and 29. The two- day event, one of its kinds in the recent times, is expected to demonstrate Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) such as Daksh, which is already in the production stage along with Takshak, a smaller version of Daksh used to detect and diffuse Improvised Explosive Device (IED). "One of the major attractions of the event would be two underwater vehicles, one developed by National Institute of Oceanology (NIO), Goa, and the other by C-DAC, Trivandrum," said Mukherjee.


The event, which will be inaugurated by Chief Controller of R&D, DRDO, Dr W Selvamurthy, will showcase the most fascinating products developed by industry and academia. While Iris, a small ball-like robot which can be used in anti-terrorist operations, will be demonstrated at the event, another attraction will be mole, a robot looking like a soft drink can. This can be used for videographing terror attacks like 26/11 incident. "It is a self-navigating robot, which can navigate self when thrown into the operational area," said Mukherjee. Another interesting watch is going to be a self righting robot that resembles a spider. Not only does it climb walls on its own, but also corrects its posture, in case it falls upside down.

"The field of robotics and autonomous vehicles is gaining momentum globally. Development of unmanned vehicles, whether on ground, air or underwater, is a major domain. These systems are extensively used for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and for carrying out remote strikes. The symposium aims to bring together the users such as Army, Air Force, paramilitary, police forces along with R&D organisations such as DRDO, ISRO, BARC and academia, including IIT-Kanpur, IISc-Bengaluru, BITS-Pilanitry in order to synergise the efforts and accelerate development process," said Manish Bharadwaj, a scientist and regional spokesperson for the DRDO.

 

[Virendra]

Truth is Indian Engineers are capable of anything. But they are not given the opportunity to prove their talent and to use their talent to develop our country. Other countries value our talents more than our own country. And so most Indians fly off as soon as completing their degree. Truly i believe if the government places a contest for engineering students to build a model of this combat drone, i am sure they will have thousands of models ready within months.

Hi codysmacks,

Could you please introduce yourself at http://defenceforumindia.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

Regards,
Virendra

 

[Parthy]

Phantom Ray Completes First Flight At Edwards

Despite the tight veil of security thrown over Boeing's Phantom Ray unmanned aircraft demonstration program, several industry officials say the stealth-shaped aircraft made its first flight at Edwards AFB, Calif. on Wed. April 27.

"Boeing conducted what appeared to be a successful 17-minute first flight and recovery," said an observer at Edwards. "First turn was shortly after takeoff -- just over lakebed. The first 2 turns were surprisingly tight as commented by those observing near inner runway. Rest of flight other than final approach were too far away to see. Gear down for entire flight. The landing was observed to be air force style, flared."

Boeing officials initially were only allowed to confirm that the flight had taken place. Phantom Ray is considered one of the "starting points" for a U.S. Navy Uclass unmanned, stealthy, carrier-based strike aircraft. However, other officials say a second flight is set for Thursday May 5.

After Aviation Week broke the news Monday of the first flight, Boeing released additional information. The first flight followed a series of high-speed taxi tests in March that validated ground guidance, navigation and control and verified mission planning, pilot interface and operational procedures. Phantom Ray flew to 7,500 feet and reached a speed of 178 knots.

Phantom Ray is one of four known low-observable unmanned reconnaissance or combat aircraft being readied for various programs.

The X-45C is the prototype vehicle for the Phantom Ray demonstration program. Another design, the tail-hook-equipped Avenger (Predator C) is the product of General Atomics. Both aircraft are expected to be involved in the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike project which is itself an offshoot of the Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration program. Northrop-Grumman's X-47B made its first 29-min. flight from Edwards on Feb. 4. Lockheed Martin is expected to enter a design based on its experimental Polecat and operational, black world RQ-170 Sentinel.

Google Earth imagery shows that Lockheed Martin has continued to expand the proprietary facility at Yucca Lake, Nev. It was established for Polecat testing and it includes a hangar that accommodates a 65-ft. wingspan aircraft.

Not all these aircraft will fit the Uclass template. The Navy has to decide what's feasible by 2018. The Avenger and RQ-170 are much smaller than the Phantom Ray and X-47B. The Avenger is thought to be the least stealthy of the designs.

In associated UAV events, the RQ-170 – sporting full-motion video capability since its return to Afghanistan operations last year – is thought to have participated in operations that led up to the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan by U.S. special operations forces.

The Pentagon has been employing airborne hyperspectral sensors for a variety of missions. These technologies are being employed in Afghanistan and other areas including Pakistan. (AW&ST, April 11, p. 55)

"Our success was built on developing and confirming leads and information that in part relied on airborne ISR along the lines of what it took to terminate al Zarqawi in Iraq in 2006," says a former intelligence specialist. "Remotely piloted aircraft were a big part of the development of the knowledge base that led up to this operation."

An embargo was placed on any release of information about the Phantom Ray flight until the initial test data were analyzed and videos reviewed which could be completed by May 3-4. The Phantom Ray is a further development of the Phantom Works' X-45C which has weapons designed to be the same size as Lockheed Martin's manned F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The Phantom Ray airframe was carried from Boeing's St. Louis facility to Edwards on Dec. 14 atop one of NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft where it was housed in the Dryden Flight Research Center.

 

[plugwater]

India wants to buy 1,500 UAVs

 

[Yusuf]

What is the possibility of India putting out a request for FMS of the Reaper or Predator?
Is the US willing to sell that to other countries?

 

[A.V.]

Good morning , here is your hot cup of tea sir , todays newspapers and todays RFP from the indian military.

Jokes apart ,
india was looking at israel alone for the direct UAV purchases , what else are they hinting at with this new statement.

 

[mattster]

What is the possibility of India putting out a request for FMS of the Reaper or Predator?
Is the US willing to sell that to other countries?

Exactly - Why buy stuff from Israel that looks like its a generation behind US technology.
India should be trying to get the Reaper or the Predator.

 

[p2prada]

Predator and Reaper are not up for sale.

 

[gogbot]

What is the possibility of India putting out a request for FMS of the Reaper or Predator?
Is the US willing to sell that to other countries?

Impossible , US drones are tied into their satellite networks to achieve their long range operations control.
Their drones will not work , unless we have access to the same satellites or have our own equivalent systems in place , which we don't.