UAVs, Drones, Remote Surveillance Tech

Katare · Post by **Katare** » 10 Feb 2009 21:50

Predator is a High Altitude, high speed, long range UCAV while RUSTOM is medium speed/altitude survilance UAV. They are not comparable in any way or form. They don't look similar and have not much in common either.

KiranM · Post by **KiranM** » 10 Feb 2009 22:02

^^^ Dark Star is designed to be stealthy. So is Neuron, Taranis and J-UCAS program.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 11 Feb 2009 03:15

Speck Systems teams up with Israel Aerospace Industries

Hyderabad, Feb. 10 Speck Systems Ltd has entered into an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (IAI) for manufacturing and service support of the latter’s mini and micro unmanned aerial vehicles product range in India.

“This is for the first time in India that a company has invested in the technology of developing and manufacturing UAVs in a large scale,” Mr K.C.M. Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Speck Systems Ltd, said while addressing a press conference here.

Mr Kumar said the company’s strength in UAVs lies in the fact that it is equipped with the capability of providing a single window solution to the growing requirements in both military and civilian applications.

...

Raj Malhotra · Post by **Raj Malhotra** » 11 Feb 2009 09:40

I believe that Rustom is a good straight forward design as we must learn to walk before we Run. I find Rustom beautiful and it seems in the same weight class as Reaper or Eitan i.e. around 4000kg which would make it one of the biggest UAVs around.

If one looks at the Spain/Israel JV for Eitan then a basic non-stealthy frame can be given stealth in next stage.

There was long ago report of Navy desiring a two engined UAV, so it is possible that this design may be funded by navy

ajay_ijn · Post by **ajay_ijn** » 11 Feb 2009 09:50

if thats the Rustom UAV model then what is this shown here
http://www.drdo.com/dpi/SAsiaDefnStraRev_.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rustom

Raj Malhotra · Post by **Raj Malhotra** » 11 Feb 2009 10:11

Read the last para of your pdf link carefully

vasu_ray · Post by **vasu_ray** » 11 Feb 2009 12:08

Might have been posted before, a clever idea

"The Miniature Air Launched Decoy is a low-cost, air-launched programmable craft that accurately duplicates the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft"

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Raytheo ... y_999.html

Has some overlap with the idea of a reusable missile ...

Kakarat · Post by **Kakarat** » 12 Feb 2009 14:18

IAI Predicts Big UAV Market - And Unveils Loitering Missile

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 12 Feb 2009 17:41

Awesome video. Dug out some more info. They call it Cutlass.

Even though Harpy is not sea-launched, Triebel said that Cutlass would be adapted for ship-based operations. It would fly for six hours at 100 knots. Its maximum range is 1,000 km, he said. The direct line-of-sight range is 150 km, but it can be extended via relays built into each weapon.

The launch is rocket-assisted from a canister and the weapon is satellite-guided. Each canister has two weapons. Weighing less than 300 pounds, Cutlass has a 6-foot wingspan and is 7 feet long. Triebel said its shelf life is 10 years.

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 12 Feb 2009 18:36

From MOD website

NISHANT UAV to be handed over to Indian Army soon

The country’s premier agency in the aviation sector, Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) will be handing over NISHANT, it’s first indigenously made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to Indian Army very soon. NISHANT, which means ‘end of darkness’ is a tactical UAV and can be employed in tactical areas in a local domain. “The limited series production is specially prepared for Indian Army as per their requirements. The confirmatory trials of NISHANT are planned and it is ready for delivery”, Project Director, ADE, Shri G Srinivasa Murthy said.

ADE has also embarked upon an ambitious programme to build another UAV with Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) that has multi-mission capability. RUSTOM, named after Rustom Damania, who was instrumental in conceptualizing the idea, will have 300 km range with 200 kg payload. According to Shri Murthy, RUSTOM will be in a flying stage in about 3 years. With an endurance level of more than 24 hours, this UAV can be used by all three armed forces. RUSTOM can be useful in reconnaissance and surveillance, target acquisition and designation, communications relay and signal intelligence. ADE has acquired about 4200 acres of land in Chitragurga district in Karnataka which is being developed for test range only for UAV.

The tactical highlights of NISHANT include multi-mission day/night capability using advance payloads, jam resistant command link and digital down link. It is a highly mobile, compact and easily deployable system and can undertake day/night battle field reconnaissance, surveillance, target tracking and localization. It can also help in correction of artillery fire. With an endurance capacity of 4 hours and 30 minutes, it can attain maximum speed of 185 km per hour.

Prototypes of both UAVs are displayed at the ongoing Aero India 2009 at Yelahanka air base in Bangaluru.

vipins · Post by **vipins** » 12 Feb 2009 18:58

above image some what reminds me of this(below) pic of earlier rustom prototype

Arya Sumantra · Post by **Arya Sumantra** » 12 Feb 2009 19:22

Kakarat wrote:IAI Predicts Big UAV Market - And Unveils Loitering Missile

Unmanned Kamikaze. great video.

jaladipc · Post by **jaladipc** » 13 Feb 2009 04:34

Then wot do the Air defense stuff onboard ships do while this loitering cruise missile with a propeller power rushing towards ship?
Are they simply keep having a watch while this loitering missile takes a clean hit?

nsa_tanay · Post by **nsa_tanay** » 13 Feb 2009 16:54

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/st ... 0090083451

IAF to have its own eye in space
Press Trust of India
Friday, February 13, 2009, (Bangalore)

With a view to increasing its surveillance capabilities, Indian Air Force is going to have its own satellite in space by the end of 2010.

"We will launch our satellite by the end of 2010," IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said here yesterday. The satellite to be launched by ISRO next year will be a dual-use satellite and will be used for civilian purposes also.It will help the IAF to position its aerial and ground assets and targets. It would be used to gather navigational information.

In the recent past, IAF has been working closely to develop its space-based capabilities. It even has plans of setting up an Aerospace command under it but it has faced opposition from the other two services over the issue.Its southern command based in Thiruvananthapuram works closely with ISRO in space related areas. At the air headquarters also, one Air Vice Marshal rank officer looks after space operations.

ajay_ijn · Post by **ajay_ijn** » 13 Feb 2009 20:12

jaladipc wrote:Then wot do the Air defense stuff onboard ships do while this loitering cruise missile with a propeller power rushing towards ship?
Are they simply keep having a watch while this loitering missile takes a clean hit?

not to mention its warhead (32 kg) and its speed are small and low to damage warships considerably .
even during anti-radar mission, it should have some high speed so that enemy that doesn't have time to react and shut down their radar. I agree IIR would solve the problem, but then max speed of around 200kmph means more vunerability to AAW Guns. one advanatge is low cost, large numbers and very high endurance (6 hrs or 500km range). It can used to frustrate the enemy Air defence forcing him to shutdown radars for hours.

this blog mentions that Harpy was successful in taking our air defence targets in syria.

x-posting
Indian Navy has already ordered 8 Chetak NRUAVs, one prototype is ready for trials.
source

vijyeta · Post by **vijyeta** » 13 Feb 2009 20:32

vasu_ray wrote:Might have been posted before, a clever idea

"The Miniature Air Launched Decoy is a low-cost, air-launched programmable craft that accurately duplicates the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft"

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Raytheo ... y_999.html

Has some overlap with the idea of a reusable missile ...

Clever- yes, but not a new concept.
'Red Storm Rising' had an elaborate scenario of a Sov attack on an 'AEGIS protected' CBG where Kelt missiles simulated emissions and flight profiles of Tu95s.

Arun_S · Post by **Arun_S** » 15 Feb 2009 05:16

AmitR wrote:Compare this with the global hawk and the similarities in external appearence seems striking.

So where is the so called striking external appearance similar to Rustom?
After noticing it also has long thin wings and tricycle landing gear the similarity ends prematurely; nada, nyet

or else I must be blind !

Arun_S · Post by **Arun_S** » 15 Feb 2009 05:19

Cross posting from AI2009 thread:

Arun_S wrote:rahuldevnath: FanstatiQ pics. Thanks boss

Shiv boss: Your photos are classic.
DRDO's Rustam - It's huge.... Clicky for biggie

This enlarged pic says a thousand stories that are waiting to unfold as the Rustom is loaded with avionics.
The no classic triple wing lets on tail wing are sensor antennas (most likely with direction finding capabelity).
The high perch tail plane and fin is perfect for radar/sensor array.
The main wing alas will not carry any significant RF sensors because that is on the only plane the it will store its fuel for very long endurance.

Given the straight, thin and long wing (for Hi endurance) I see no reason why they did not go for pusher props for higher efficiency and better aerodynamics.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 15 Feb 2009 12:02

AmitR wrote:
K Mehta wrote:amit
G Hawk and Predator(reaper) are single engine UAVs, rustom is twin engine. so increased survivability, ceiling, range, payload etc.
we will have ample opportunity to compare it to the BAe UAV Mantis,Herti at AI-09.
Mantis is a twin engine UAV.
Does Rustom fly?

As per the ADE guy at the display site, it's only at the mockup stage.

Flight seems some way off.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 15 Feb 2009 12:15

Katare wrote:Predator is a High Altitude, high speed, long range UCAV while RUSTOM is medium speed/altitude survilance UAV. They are not comparable in any way or form. They don't look similar and have not much in common either.

katare ji,

You are right. They are not comparable right now.

Hopefully maybe later!

As per the ADE guy at the display site,

some specs

All composite
External pilot, Auto takeoff & landing capability.
Dual redundant FCS and DATA link

Max speed 225 kmph
operating 125 - 175 kmph
Operating altitude 30,000 ft
Endurance > 24 hrs
Operating Range
Line of sight 250 kms, Relay mode 350 kms
Max payload 350 kgs

Payloads

Electro optic CCD + FLIR + LD
Switchable Camera in nose
ELINT % COMINT
SAR Synthetic Aperture Radar
MPR Maritime Patrol Radar
UAV communications node

rakall · Post by **rakall** » 15 Feb 2009 14:10

Details on the Rustom:

1. The engines are Rotax engines - similar to the ones used in the Hansa.. higher power.. The requirement of two engines comes for the Take-off condition.. in cruise condition the full thrust/power of the engines is necessary and will work at the most efficient/optimum condition..

Engines develop 120hp, 128Nm @ 5800RPM 4CYLINDER 4stroke engine

2. Ceieling ~ 35000ft.. Endurance > 24hrs.. Datalink has 250km LOS range and 350km with relay.. The link is same as the one used in Nishant - can transmit realtime video etc.. The range different of the link - 160km for Nishant and 250km for rustom is due to difference in tracking... Single axis tracking for Rustom and two-axis tracking for Nishant..

3. 350kg payload capacity.. any of these can be used -- ElOp, SAR, Maritime radar, Daylight TV, FLIR etc..

4. 1800kg total weight - 350kg payload, 100kg fuel.. 20m wing span, 14m fuselage length

(if you compare Hansa brochure - 85kgs fuel has 4hr endurance which means 20kgs/hr.. here two engines works out to 40kgs/hr which works out to 25hrs of endurance.. but at cruise conditions the engine on Rustom is likely to comsume lesser fuel - so the endurance is likely to significantly higher than 25hrs)

5. The T-tail is because of the need to house ESM/CSM antennas on the tips of the T -- you can see three vertical pieces on each tip, which are the CSM/ESM antennas.. the need to perch them without interference has ruledout a Y-tail.

The tail portion - both horizontal and vertical does not haave any fuel.. this is becuase there is too much CG shift if the fuel is loaded there.. so fuel is loaded only in wing and fuselage.

6. The full tail is madeout of GFRP - so no need to worry about the tail spoiling the RCS signature.. and anyway service cieling is high enough to evade detection by ground based radars.. for Airborne radars also not a problem because the body is made fully composite.

7. 3years to first flight.. right now they are qualifying a lot of subsystems on the unmanned version of LCRA - which is ready to fly.

8. There is a little bit of details missing from the full-scale model displayed at AeroIndia09 -- the hardpoints on the wings.
There is provision for 2hard points under each wing.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 15 Feb 2009 23:35

rakall wrote:Details on the Rustom:

1. The engines are Rotax engines - similar to the ones used in the Hansa.. higher power.. The requirement of two engines comes for the Take-off condition.. in cruise condition the full thrust/power of the engines is necessary and will work at the most efficient/optimum condition..

Engines develop 120hp, 128Nm @ 5800RPM 4CYLINDER 4stroke engine

2. Ceieling ~ 35000ft.. Endurance > 24hrs.. Datalink has 250km LOS range and 350km with relay.. The link is same as the one used in Nishant - can transmit realtime video etc.. The range different of the link - 160km for Nishant and 250km for rustom is due to difference in tracking... Single axis tracking for Rustom and two-axis tracking for Nishant..

3. 350kg payload capacity.. any of these can be used -- ElOp, SAR, Maritime radar, Daylight TV, FLIR etc..

4. 1800kg total weight - 350kg payload, 100kg fuel.. 20m wing span, 14m fuselage length

(if you compare Hansa brochure - 85kgs fuel has 4hr endurance which means 20kgs/hr.. here two engines works out to 40kgs/hr which works out to 25hrs of endurance.. but at cruise conditions the engine on Rustom is likely to comsume lesser fuel - so the endurance is likely to significantly higher than 25hrs)

5. The T-tail is because of the need to house ESM/CSM antennas on the tips of the T -- you can see three vertical pieces on each tip, which are the CSM/ESM antennas.. the need to perch them without interference has ruledout a Y-tail.

The tail portion - both horizontal and vertical does not haave any fuel.. this is becuase there is too much CG shift if the fuel is loaded there.. so fuel is loaded only in wing and fuselage.

6. The full tail is madeout of GFRP - so no need to worry about the tail spoiling the RCS signature.. and anyway service cieling is high enough to evade detection by ground based radars.. for Airborne radars also not a problem because the body is made fully composite.

7. 3years to first flight.. right now they are qualifying a lot of subsystems on the unmanned version of LCRA - which is ready to fly.

8. There is a little bit of details missing from the full-scale model displayed at AeroIndia09 -- the hardpoints on the wings.
There is provision for 2hard points under each wing.

rakall ji,

A point occurred to me reading your post, the fuel calculations don't seem to add up

Am I missing something?

ajay_ijn · Post by **ajay_ijn** » 15 Feb 2009 23:43

i think thats 4kgs per hour.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 15 Feb 2009 23:45

ajay_ijn wrote:i think thats 4kgs per hour.

ajay_ijn ji,

Highly unlikely for two Rotax engines with a reported rating higher than that of the Hansa engine

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 16 Feb 2009 00:30

I think he missed a zero in the fuel mass. i.e 1000 kg.
then figures are ok.

rakall, I hereby nominate you for the "BRjingo of the year" award !!

IIRC, you were the recipient during last AI too !
rock all !!

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 16 Feb 2009 01:59

Well from just the pic, the Rustom's tail assembly looks bizarre! Whats with that huge vertical stabilizer ?? It's going to light up ever radar system in its area of operation! I dont know if the people behind the design have given a thought to incorporating stealth into it or its survivability. Unlike a conventional aircraft, they cant necessarily load this down with banks of ECM's etc .

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 16 Feb 2009 02:14

oh, they are stupid people only who haven't seen dicovery channel programs for half their life and so must be ignorant fools.

they live in India too ! what more proof do you require that they are illiterate good for nothings who couldn't land up jobs in the civilized west which after all is what all intelligent Indians crave isn't it ?
what do they know about things like stealth, ECM ? they should stick to snake charming. look at the gall, bl**dy poverty stricken third-worlders attempting UAVs !!

hmmph !

munna · Post by **munna** » 16 Feb 2009 04:59

^^
Thank god for small mercies that we poor, illiterate and non stealthy people can make some UAVs. Rahul that was too good.

andy B · Post by **andy B** » 16 Feb 2009 05:45

Rahul M wrote:oh, they are stupid people only who haven't seen dicovery channel programs for half their life and so must be ignorant fools.

they live in India too ! what more proof do you require that they are illiterate good for nothings who couldn't land up jobs in the civilized west which after all is what all intelligent Indians crave isn't it ?
what do they know about things like stealth, ECM ? they should stick to snake charming. look at the gall, bl**dy poverty stricken third-worlders attempting UAVs !!
hmmph !

AoA The Grand Ayotollah has spoken.....infidels beware!!!

On a more serious note IMHO the Rustom is a great step forward for us to go from Nishant which is a tactical UAV to something like the Rustom which has strategic applications is pretty impressive.

Once the Rustom starts getting operational I am sure DRDO can have a weaponized variant just like they did with the Dhruv. One can survey and the other can target....enough said.

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 16 Feb 2009 07:19

As always the proof is in the pudding. But the explanations given regarding the Electronic support system needs doesnt really justify the bizarre design element. However, when eventually if the UAV is brought into service and if it is used in hostile airspace without incident then the design would seem to be vindicated until then I remain skeptical.

Arun_S · Post by **Arun_S** » 16 Feb 2009 07:31

Rustom's tall tail is also an indication that the real craft will have much higher landing gear. As Rock-All said th reason for two engines is need for shorter operating airfields. That invariably also means high AoA, and for a craft this long the tail has got be to be tall to stay away from main wings downdraft.

Gen. Mush must be envying Rustom's high mush; compared to downhill running Pak-dog with tail between the legs.

rakall · Post by **rakall** » 16 Feb 2009 10:24

Brando wrote:As always the proof is in the pudding. But the explanations given regarding the Electronic support system needs doesnt really justify the bizarre design element. However, when eventually if the UAV is brought into service and if it is used in hostile airspace without incident then the design would seem to be vindicated until then I remain skeptical.

The tail is fully made of radar transparent GFRP material - not a single piece of metal.. That is why the designer is not worried about the tails contribution to radar cross-section.. The point #6 in the post already says that..

BTW - the fuel is 1000kgs.. not 100kg. TYPO.

As shown - with only ElOp and/or SAR payloads Rustom weighs 1800kg.. 1000kg fuel, 350kg for payloads, rest is fuselage weight and all the ESM/CSM stuff.. But when additional payload is put on hardpoints (which is not shown in the mockup), MTOW will be more.. and you need power to takeoff with that -- thats why two uprated Rotax engines..

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 16 Feb 2009 10:34

Arun_S wrote:Rustom's tall tail is also an indication that the real craft will have much higher landing gear. As Rock-All said th reason for two engines is need for shorter operating airfields. That invariably also means high AoA, and for a craft this long the tail has got be to be tall to stay away from main wings downdraft.

Gen. Mush must be envying Rustom's high mush; compared to downhill running Pak-dog with tail between the legs.

Arun_S ji,

Rustum's specs and open source info don't seem to add up.

Total wt 1800 kgs ?
Fuel 1000 Kgs ??
Payload 350 kgs
Two Rotax 914 series engines (Dry weight) 75 X 2 = 150 kgs ?
Leaving approx 300 kgs for fuselage, retractable undercarriage and controls.

Somehow it doesn't seem to addup given the size of the fuselage unless its much heavier than ADE has let on

KiranM · Post by **KiranM** » 16 Feb 2009 10:36

Wont the reduced RCS signature be affected when some payload is carried on the hardpoints? I think reduced RCS is an afterthought than one of the primary objectives. Else this would have been addressed. My 2 cents.

Raj Malhotra · Post by **Raj Malhotra** » 16 Feb 2009 10:58

Comparing the specifications with Predator (MQ-1C version or Heron, i would guess around empty weight around 800kg, fuel 1000kg, payload 350kg which would give MTOW of around 2200-2500kg. Though fuel load looks very heavy. it can also be empty weight 800kg, fuel 600kg and payload around 350g giving MTOW 1800kg. Bloody Chankian yindus.

I think it would be very easy to upgrade engines to turboprops and go in for MTOW of around 5000kg with ceiling increased to around 45-50,000 feet

rakall · Post by **rakall** » 16 Feb 2009 11:40

chetak wrote:
Arun_S wrote:Rustom's tall tail is also an indication that the real craft will have much higher landing gear. As Rock-All said th reason for two engines is need for shorter operating airfields. That invariably also means high AoA, and for a craft this long the tail has got be to be tall to stay away from main wings downdraft.

Gen. Mush must be envying Rustom's high mush; compared to downhill running Pak-dog with tail between the legs.

Arun_S ji,

Rustum's specs and open source info don't seem to add up.

Total wt 1800 kgs ?
Fuel 1000 Kgs ??
Payload 350 kgs
Two Rotax 914 series engines (Dry weight) 75 X 2 = 150 kgs ?
Leaving approx 300 kgs for fuselage, retractable undercarriage and controls.

Somehow it doesn't seem to addup given the size of the fuselage unless its much heavier than ADE has let on

There was so much to do.. I did not clarify exactly what the ADE person meant by "total weight".. Was it MTOW or Weight of Rustom airframe alone without payload.. that way MTOW = Total weight + payload.. some semantics missing.. but dont worry yaar -- we got the broad outlines of the machine..

Some Info on Nishant CTOL

- Nishant has 56lts (approx 40kg fuel)... Net weight savings of 15kg with CTOL after replacing parachute, landing bags etc with CTOL gear.. (approx 20lts additional fuel can be loaded)

- the prototype completed taxi trials.. will flight test soon.. But this proto does not have the additional fuel loaded..
right now they just want to test the take-off and landing work right.. in the production variant - they will go for the additional fuel loading

- Nishant now has 4hr 30mins endurance.. If the additional fuel is provided in CTOL version, will have 6hr 30min endurance

- An auto take-off & landing is also planned for future..

- Nishant uses this engine. if someone wants to make additional calculations http://www.uavenginesltd.co.uk/index.php?id=402

AmitR · Post by **AmitR** » 16 Feb 2009 14:11

PHALCON AWACS Delivery Schedule for March 2009

IAF will now have to wait till March end for Israeli airborne early warning system, whose induction has already been delayed by 16 months, DDI News reported on Friday.

"The Israeli PHALCON airborne early warning and control system (AWACS), which will provide the IAF an eye in the skies to perform surveillance and reconnaissance roles, will arrive in India only by March end," a senior IAF officer said in New Delhi on Friday.

The AWACS mounted on Russian-made IL-76 heavy lift transport aircraft was originally scheduled to be delivered by the Israel Aerospace Industries by November 2007, but could not meet the deadline.

AWACS, a major force multiplier for the Air Force, can provide advance information even as an enemy fighter jet takes off from enemy territory, giving enough time for the IAF to scramble its own fighter jets to counter the enemy aircraft.

It is also an important link in the IAF's plans to go network centric by establishing an advanced Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) through the Air Force Net (AFNET) communication network.

"With IAF rapidly progressing with its network centricity plans, AWACS will be an important element...the air link...in the IACCS," the officer said.

The AWACS will link the IAF's ground and air-based weapon platforms and communication system, which would be vital for IAF's network-centric operations.

With IAF aiming to become a network-centric force by 2010-11, it has been trying to inter-link its land, air and space assets and platforms to provide real-time information for increasing its situational awareness during conflicts.

Under the AFNET project, the IAF has already linked about 70 percent of its land-based assets and platforms to the IACCS, the officer said.

India had in March 2004 signed an USD 1.1 billion deal with Israel for three AWACS fitted on IL-76 platforms that would help IAF detect incoming hostile cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles much before ground-based radars track the rogue flying machines.

IAF's Agra air base has geared up to receive the first AWACS and has got its infrastructure improved by extending the runway, establishing an avionics lab, and integrating ground systems for future operations.

k prasad · Post by **k prasad** » 16 Feb 2009 14:45

x posting from my reply on the Aero india thread:

Based on info I got from the Seminar and at AI, some info on future UAV development:

Coming to the rustom, Thanks a ton for putting up the info rakall... some more info:

1. The engines are specifically 2 Rotax 914 engines frm UK.

2. A 1:2 model of the Rustom has completed control surface tests and low speed taxi trials.

3. The older Rustom-1 (this one is Rustom-H) will be out, and was only meant as a TD.

4. When asked about Weaponized variants, the person at the Stall (and indeed, the ADE director at the Seminar) both skirted the question, which suggests that we are indeed working on the matter... it wasn't a all-out denial, but they tried to wriggle out of answering that directly. I wouldn't be surprised if we are pretty far ahead (given out reqts to take out pigs quietly) - rakall does make that point in his post, but I guess that wasn't meant for publication.

Coming to the Nishant:

The picture of the wheeled nishant was of the actual flyer... this will undergo taxi trials next month. In what points to sheer stupidity, the Army initially asked for a wheeled version (when the project was first mooted), then asked for a launched version (Resulting in redesigns) and now has asked for a wheeled version again... this has definitely exasperated ADE. The director gave a whole list of reasons why the launched version of the small nishant makes better sense for the Army.

Anyway, they aren't even sure about the landing and takeoff run for the wheeled version, but given the prop launch (~70 m/s takeoff speed IIRC), it will not be short, and will need a long semi-prepared runway. The braking also can't be done with a chute due to the pusher config, so they have incorporated an arrestor hook, and will use arrested recovery... they havent decided on any wheel brakes as of now.

UCAV:

Will be the old MCA config - tailless with 3-axis TVC. will fly by 2020. Design studies underway. Will have level 4 autonomy and novel control surfaces. It will be self defending (indicates A2A capable??)

Incidentally, the presentation mentioned that ADE has mastered 3 axis TVC technology.

k prasad · Post by **k prasad** » 16 Feb 2009 15:11

Some Info on the Indian UAV roadmap from the Aero Seminar ADE Director's presentation:

ADE has 1340 ppl with 340 scientists.

Their first UAV was an air launched, expendable target drone called ULKA, first produced in 1975. 75 were produced.

Later, the "Sparrow" mini-RPV was produced in 1986, of which 15 were made. the Sparrow incorporated Taxi takeoff and RATo, and a para-recovery, and had a ground control station.

Lakshya

- first started in 1986, and features a RATO and para-recovery. It has a 3 axis autopilot.
- It has a 2 hr flotation capability
- 45 kg payload.
- 42 are in use now.

The lakshya has had a sucessful GCS controlled flight. The FCS is analog implementation

Lakshya Mk.2:

Will have upgrades including:
- Full digital FCS (implemented)
- Fully autonomous
- self-propelled towbodies
- Increased RCS (I wonder why)
- Increased endurance adn increased flight envelope.

The upgraded version will have its first test flight in March 2009.

Nishant

- First flew in 1995
- Remotely supervised Vehicle
- Rail assisted hydropneumatic launcher
- Para recovery
- 3 axis autopilot
- Waypoint navigation capability
- Digital system
- Has just had a fully autonomous 4.5 hr long flight.
- Can have EOTS and ESM payloads.
- Comparable to searcher 2

Future Nishant
- Wheeled version with taxi takeoff and landing
- increased service ceiling and endurance.
- Mk.4 Gimbal payload assembly.

Comparison between wheeled and Launched UAVs

Wheeled:
- More logistics
- Skilled pilots reqd for landing and takeoff
- Radiating ground terminals for homing
- riskier due to immobility of support infrastructure
- Formations to be supported will be far away - lower time on station
- Can only operate at higher organization levels (Brigade or Division level) - not ideal for a small UAV.
- Conditional support to Units.
- not flexible, and usage will not be decided by the units served

Launched:
- Intimate and unconditional support.
- Highly mobile launch platforms
- Less likely to be destroyed or intercepted on ground
- Redeploys with the forces - ideal when penetrating deep into enemy territory.
- Better operational use.

MTBO of Nishant system = 600 hrs
MTBO of Nishant engine = 250 hrs

Future UAVs:

Rustom 1:
-12 hr endurance
- High speed taxi trials have been conducted
- 20-25,000 ft service ceiling
- 75 kg payload

Rustom-H:
- 24+ hr endurance
- 35,000 ft ceiling
- ATOL, RM,
- T-tail config
- For use by Army
- 350 kg payload

Micro-UAVs:
- Being developed by NAL
- Flight tests are underway
- 30 minutes endurance
- 2 km range
- Hand launched
- <15 m/s velocity
- Possess swarm logic

UCAVs:
- Design studies underway
- Level 4 autonomy
- Mix of a Conventional aircarft and UAV
- 3 Axis TVC control (technology has been mastered)
- unusual aerodynamic shape - tailless (old MCA config. Also showed a weird B2 like shape)
- Novel control surfaces
- capable of self-defending, high-speed operations
- Will be ready by 2020.

Unfortunately, I could not ask about the UAV contest going on.

Qns???

rakall · Post by **rakall** » 16 Feb 2009 15:28

k prasad wrote:
Rustom 1:
-12 hr endurance
- High speed taxi trials have been conducted
- 20-25,000 ft service ceiling
- 75 kg payload

Qns???

What they call Rustom-1 is actually the unmanned version of LCRA..
Being used to prove some sub-systems that go into Rustom-H