UAVs, Drones, Remote Surveillance Tech

vic · Post by **vic** » 09 Feb 2011 19:31

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_o_no4M2xEPY/T ... 718724.JPG

Rustom wing span seems much larger, will it soar even higher

rakall · Post by **rakall** » 09 Feb 2011 21:07

vic wrote:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_o_no4M2xEPY/T ... 718724.JPG

Rustom wing span seems much larger, will it soar even higher

IIRC there was a satcom terminal on top of Rustom fullscale model when it was shown AeroIndia2009 -- why has it disappeared?

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 09 Feb 2011 22:07

A lot of antennas have not been depicted (elevator tips, wing tips) or have been internalized

But they have certainly gone from all box like aft fuselage (engine housings) and protrusions to smooth curves

.

Jaeger · Post by **Jaeger** » 10 Feb 2011 12:25

Also, it seems to be using turbo-props wit 3-bladed propellers... I think the mock-up depicted internal combustion units with 2-bladed props? I could be wrong...

P Chitkara · Post by **P Chitkara** » 10 Feb 2011 13:09

The UAV was accepted after almost 14 years of trials.

The very first demo to the Army in the 90s was a pure disaster for Nishant. Wont comment on exactly what happened (it didn’t crash or anything) but it created tons of skepticism in the Army which was already averse to desi products for reasons that we rather not go into. Fact that Searcher was also being evaluated around the same time just complicated things.

Don’t get me wrong - nothing against anybody, it was just that our industry was simply not mature enough in the 80s or 90s to be able to handle such products effectively - it has come of age only now.

Glad to see it has finally been inducted and a demanding customer is satisfied.

prabhug · Post by **prabhug** » 10 Feb 2011 14:54

Hi
Did anybody saw the video of Prof.Ko on the south korean tilt rotor smart UAV with VTOL ? I loved the idea any reviews or comments.

Sagar G · Post by **Sagar G** » 10 Feb 2011 15:01

Thank god that they have changed the rustom design, didn't like at all the boxy aft fuselage section as they had displayed in the aero India 2009 model.

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 10 Feb 2011 17:14

Tata Industrial Services, QinetiQ Tie Up for Military Robotics, UAVs, Space Exploration
http://www.india-defence.com/reports-5010
QinetiQ is working closely with TATA Industrial Services Ltd to jointly develop new and exciting opportunities in both Indian and International Aerospace markets. QinetiQ is a leading provider of technology-based services and solutions in ..

dinesha · Post by **dinesha** » 11 Feb 2011 15:07

X-post
Livefist: AERO INDIA Day 3: New Indian Drone SLYBIRD Emerges

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 11 Feb 2011 15:20

Do we have the specs for this bird? It does say mini UAV on its tail..

From the proportion of the crafts vs its propeller size, any guesses on exact dimensions, endurance etc ?

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 13 Feb 2011 02:40

Panther tilt-rotor from Israel

vic · Post by **vic** » 13 Feb 2011 09:44

Jaeger wrote:Also, it seems to be using turbo-props wit 3-bladed propellers... I think the mock-up depicted internal combustion units with 2-bladed props? I could be wrong...

The smooth body, turboprop (??) 3 bladed props show that it may be a new Rustom (??) So we have Rustom-1 which is TD, Rustom H which is piston powered and Now Rustom Super which is steath enhanced turboprop powered model. All guesses only

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 14 Feb 2011 15:17

Kailash wrote:Do we have the specs for this bird? It does say mini UAV on its tail..

From the proportion of the crafts vs its propeller size, any guesses on exact dimensions, endurance etc ?

Slybird and the other one next to it have an endurance of 2 hours. Hand launched.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 14 Feb 2011 20:52

Bigger, better version of Aerostat on cards.

'Akashdeep' the huge white aerostat or surveillance balloon that was supposed to be the Defence Research & Development Organisation's showpiece at the ongoing AeroIndia 2011 extravaganza near Bangalore, was not allowed to soar to its full height on Sunday as the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) denied it permission. Nonetheless, it was impressive enough from the spectator's point of view.

Akashdeep rose to a height of 40 metres only twice at the show, and only for half an hour each time once before the defence minister's visit and once before media persons.

An official from the Aerial Delivery Research & Ddevelopment Establishment of the DRDO said, ''We have kept the aerostat at winch level (ground level) since beginning of the show. We always wanted to keep it flying. But denial of permission by ATC was a dampener.''

The ATC said it had denied permission as a safety measure, as the aerostat would hamper flight movement.

An aerostat can remain stationary in the air and is tethered to the ground through an electro-optic wire. An official said while a micro UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) does surveillance work, it can't fly for a longer time. However, an aerostat can be airborne continuously for seven days.

''Aerostats can cover a wider area and serve both civil and military purposes. In Russia, traffic movement surveillance is done through the Aerostat,'' the DRDO official said.

He said Aerostat is used for surveillance, intelligence, broadcasting and communication purposes and carry payloads of up to 300 kg. ''Right now, we have a 298-kg sensor and other payloads on it,'' he said.

Equipped with a special camera, it can cover an area of up to 60 km both during the day as well as night.

But there may be something even bigger and better coming. The initial success of Akashdeep has shown the way for a bigger and better indigenous 'Nakshatra'. This new aerostat system will be built to track a 450km radius - that's approximately four times the present 110km radius surveillance track of Akashdeep.

The surveillance system to be developed by the Aerial Delivery Research & Ddevelopment Establishment, Agra, can be tested up to 4.5 km altitude, with a payload of 800 kg to 1 tonne and 17,000 cubic metres volume. "The project is now on the drawing board. Once finalised, it will take us five years to complete the Nakshatra for service," Wing Commander A Marwah, mission coordinator for Aerostat, said.

Elaborating plans for the medium-range Akashdeep, he said the technology is ready and has been successfully tested at Agra for a height of 1km with a 300kg payload.

"We have now achieved the technology. It's perfect for use along borders, coastal areas and in areas of low-intensity conflicts. The US and Russia have also shown interest in exchanging technical know-how," Marwah added. There are also plans to modify the existing model before replicating it in other areas.

Akashdeep is now stationed for demonstration at the Yelahanka Air Force station for Aero India 2011.

It's among the biggest flying objects here and took over five days to be transported from Agra.

However, competition for air space at the show left it with very little time for any detailed operational demonstration to the visitors. Even on Saturday, there was only an hour's time between air displays for a technical demonstration.

In the past four days, it has been demonstrated only up to a maximum height of 80 m. Going higher will require more time.

Hiten · Post by **Hiten** » 21 Feb 2011 17:23

a Bangalore-based start-up Aurora Integrated Systems offers 3 UAVs & a series of Aerostats of varying capacities

a demonstration of one of their UAVs named Urban View

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiAbJoEGR6g

They don't seem to have bagged any significant orders it appears

Their website: http://aurora-is.com/

Why is DRDO not co-opting these startups into their own projects or provide guidance to them to further develop these UAVS for equipping them more advanced payloads, longer endurance & reliability.
Why this overlap of projects, when DRDO would know very well that any start-up competing with them would be at a definite disadvantage, owing to the limited resources, experience & infrastructure at their disposal compared to the GoI labs

Shouldn't DRDO, as an arm of the GoI, play a chief mentor like role to these companies to help develop capabilities of the country's private sector?

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 24 Feb 2011 15:05

Hummingbird like UAV

Equipped with a camera, the drone can fly at speeds of up to 11 miles per hour. It can climb and descend vertically, fly sideways, forward and backward, as well as rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise by remote control for about eight minutes.

The 'hummingbird' has a wingspan of 6.5 inches and weighs 19 grams - less than an AA battery. It uses only its flapping wings for propulsion and control. Slightly larger than the average hummingbird, the drone contains motors and other communications systems

nits · Post by **nits** » 25 Feb 2011 20:20

Mumbai police to get 24 unmanned aerial vehicles

Mumbai police is all set to become first police force in the country to have two dozen unmanned aerial vehicles ,In a Government Resolution issued on February 14, the state Government has listed 24 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) among the articles, including arms and ammunitions, that Mumbai police is procuring to fight terrorists.

The procurement is being carried out through a State-Centre joint funding programme. While Centre will contribute 75 per cent to the 109.13 crore fund, the state government will pool in the rest.Mumbai police will get under this programme are — 950 AK-47 rifles, 250 MP5, MP4 and MP9 guns, 500 bullet-proof jackets, 100 static and portable X-ray baggage scanners, bomb detection and disposal equipment and 100 new cars.

The rest of the state will also get weapons like Glock pistols, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, rocket launchers, INSAS guns and self-loading rifles.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 01 Mar 2011 16:31

IAF's VTOL-UAV requirement

pralay · Post by **pralay** » 10 Mar 2011 13:26

Advanced drone project gets Rs.1,540 cr funding

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared a Rs.1,540 crore proposal from the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the Bangalore-based defence laboratory, to design and develop an advanced version of its Rustom-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)—which will significantly enhance the capability of the country’s Armed Forces.

ADE director P.S. Krishnan said the lab received the approval around 10 days ago. Of the Rs.1,540 crore, Rs.1,156 crore will be used to develop 15 UAVs, while Rs.384 crore will go towards setting up a dedicated aeronautical test range (ATR) at Chitradurga, 200km from Bangalore.

The first UAV, named Rustom-H, is to take to the skies within three years and users can evaluate it after five-and-a-half years. The Rustom-1 has an operating altitude of 22,000 ft and an endurance of 12-15 hours, while the Rustom-H will have 30,000 ft of operating altitude and endurance of 24 hours. It is a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV meant for surveillance of hostile areas, tracking targets and will replace the Israeli Heron UAV currently in service with the Indian Army. It can also carry loads of up to 350kg—long range electro-optics, synthetic aperture radar, maritime patrol radar, electronic and communication intelligence payload, radar warning receiver and a traffic collision avoidance system. And it will have the so-called automatic take-off and landing, or ATOL, capability.

“This UAV will bring in the new technology of de-icing to India, for which we are in talks with firms in Germany, Europe and Israel,” Krishnan said. He declined to reveal the name of the firms. De-icing is technology used to melt the ice that settles on the wings of a UAV when flying at high altitude. De-icing distorts the aerodynamics of the flying body and thus makes it unstable.

The laboratory is looking for partners to help it develop the vehicle and six firms including Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, Larsen and Toubro Ltd, Godrej Precision Systems, and the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd-Bharat Electronics Ltd consortium will be asked to submit proposals.

The project has its challenges. The UAV will have to share civilian airspace and will require certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, apart from a certification from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, another defence lab. “The ATOL feature, certification requirements, developing indigenous payload and de-icing are challenges to this project,” Krishnan admitted.

“Making the UAV will help India build indigenous capability and also help the nation to move up the value chain from low-end technology to high-end technology,” said Dhiraj Mathur, executive director of PricewaterhouseCoopers, India.

vic · Post by **vic** » 10 Mar 2011 13:50

Advanced drone project gets Rs.1,540 cr funding

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared a Rs.1,540 crore proposal from the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the Bangalore-based defence laboratory, to design and develop an advanced version of its Rustom-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)—which will significantly enhance the capability of the country’s Armed Forces.

ADE director P.S. Krishnan said the lab received the approval around 10 days ago. Of the Rs.1,540 crore, Rs.1,156 crore will be used to develop 15 UAVs, while Rs.384 crore will go towards setting up a dedicated aeronautical test range (ATR) at Chitradurga, 200km from Bangalore.

Good to see that the approval is given to manufacture 15 UAVs in one go, rather than dripping in the money!

vipins · Post by **vipins** » 08 Apr 2011 00:03

Saw Rustum (smaller version) over Domulur area in evening today.

paultd · Post by **paultd** » 09 Apr 2011 20:33

Indian navy eyes more Israeli UAVs
India’s navy has operational requirements for additional unmanned air vehicles made by Israel Aerospace Industries
http://iafnews.nuvodev.com/posts/indian ... aeli-uavs/

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 09 Apr 2011 21:04

Nothing lights a fire under the netas and babus than the Chinese showing off some hardware.

One can be 100% sure that funding and aquisition moves at slightly above average pace then.
The only time that F&A moves at super average or urgent pace is when the country is in the MIDDLE OF A F'ING WAR.

Other wise the pace of movement of the files is subnormal in the corridors in Nai Dilli.

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 11 Apr 2011 04:15

India quietly begins combat drone project

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 11 Apr 2011 15:54

^15 tonnes!

Flying wing - baby B2 !?

"some foreign consultancy or collaboration" in fields like stealth as well as autonomous short-run take-off and landing.

why?

btw, the the nuj doesn't seems to be a "quite project".

Craig Alpert · Post by **Craig Alpert** » 21 Apr 2011 00:15

'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.

Live streaming and recording makes a BIG difference for Life & Death situations!

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 23 Apr 2011 05:56

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

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."

Ravi Karumanchiri · Post by **Ravi Karumanchiri** » 23 Apr 2011 10:44

Back in the 1980s, a research project here in Canada developed a UAV that was powered entirely by energy beamed-up from the ground. The lower surfaces of the craft were covered with 'rectennae' (rectifying antennae), that would convert the microwave beamed energy into DC to power a propeller. The idea was to use the UAV to rebroadcast TV signals. The system could conceivably stay airborne indefinitely, and could carry significant payloads when full-sized.

Read about 'Project SHARP' (Stationary High Altitude Relay Platform), and see the pics here: http://www.friendsofcrc.ca/Projects/SHARP/sharp.html

sum · Post by **sum** » 23 Apr 2011 13:39

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."

Just four have been inducted after the donkey years of "successful" trials?

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 04 May 2011 15:04

Phantom ray completes first flight

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 10 May 2011 15:20

Aeroseeker from singapore

Flies manned or unmanned - Northrop Grumman Firebird Insight

Chinese rotary winged UAV - V750

Aeryon Scout Quadrocopter

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 10 May 2011 18:32

Nice video -

RonyKJ · Post by **RonyKJ** » 14 May 2011 18:06

Cross-posting from LCA thread:

Folks, like to liven up this thread a little at my own expense of being ridiculed.
I have a "brilliant" idea.
Why not modify one of the LSP's so that it can be flown pilotless ?
The immediate use of this would be that it can be used then to test spin recovery.

So what do we need to make the LCA a drone?
We need s/w that can take all the inputs from sensors and then issue commands to the
control surfaces. The unstable LCA already does that. So we need s/w that sits on top of that
and manages things like take-off and landings and can be controlled from the ground.
We need actuators to replace all that the pilot currently does.

So what do you think?
Why not work on making a UCAV version of the LCA rather than designing something new or
scaling up the Nishant or Rustum or Slybird

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 21 May 2011 18:02

Came across this:

IAI to help India develop unmanned Dhruv

But, latest DTI has a picture of what seems to be a fully developed Chetak "UAV". Looks cute. Claims that the UAV Chetak has the same sensor package as the Heron.

Found it:

http://www.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=416168789

Page 17

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 21 May 2011 18:11

DRDO flight tests Rustom 1 UAV, payload integration next

Picture next. Gimme 10 mins

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 21 May 2011 18:25

Pics

Rustom 1 UAV test 21 May 2011

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 21 May 2011 19:45

Looks like a scaled composites Rutan Long-EZ

Gurneesh · Post by **Gurneesh** » 21 May 2011 23:46

^^^ Thanks for that. Was wondering which plane did they convert..

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 23 May 2011 10:11

Pratyush wrote:Looks like a scaled composites Rutan Long-EZ

It is not scaled. They replaced the pilot with the payload.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 23 May 2011 10:33

Gurneesh wrote:^^^ Thanks for that. Was wondering which plane did they convert..