UAVs, Drones, Remote Surveillance Tech

D Roy · Post by **D Roy** » 16 Apr 2010 12:05

we have,

Remember the Netra quad rotor UAV...

David Siegel · Post by **David Siegel** » 22 Apr 2010 13:47

Something Interesting

Russia, Israel to jointly produce spy drones

http://www.brahmand.com/news/Russia-Isr ... /3/10.html

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 23 Apr 2010 06:08

Nishant UAV Undergoing Confirmatory Trials
AVIATION WEEK

Venu · Post by **Venu** » 24 Apr 2010 22:07

Juggi G wrote:Nishant UAV Undergoing Confirmatory Trials
AVIATION WEEK
A senior Army official at Pokhran said the trials are moving forward in a very satisfactory manner. “We are checking three crucial parameters: video quality, tracking ability and fall of gunshot [missed distance after firing]. These input performances are critical to our operations in the forward areas,” the official said.

In the above article, they are talking about some 'gun shot'

. Are they testing a

weaponized nishant

, by any chance?

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 24 Apr 2010 22:35

Venu wrote:In the above article, they are talking about some 'gun shot' . Are they testing a weaponized nishant , by any chance?

IIRC Nishant is to be used also for artillery fire correction. It is supposed to detect impact points of rounds and communicate it back so that the people firing the artillery can make corrections. AFAIK It has not been revealed (non chaiwallah sources), what sensors they use for detecting the impact points (Optical/ IR / RADAR). Nishant payload itself is just 50 Kg, so only way of weaponizing would be to tie a few hand grenades to it

negi · Post by **negi** » 25 Apr 2010 00:38

^ Most probably electro-optical type ; this picture at least rules out a SAR .

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORC ... 4/0351.jpg

Venu · Post by **Venu** » 25 Apr 2010 00:48

Now that DRDO and its associated labs has got sufficient experience in Nishant UAV, they should work on moving on to the next step, from Nishant as a single UAV to NIshan(t) as a system. Instead of one UAV flying, there should be a formation of 2 nishants flying in precission formation. While one is with the camera for recon and aiming, the next one in the formation should be carrying long range sniper or a grenade launcher. The target being acquired from N1, should be picked and shot at by this sniper laden N2.

I don't think thats impossible even by Indian standards.

Anujan wrote:Nishant payload itself is just 50 Kg, so only way of weaponizing would be to tie a few hand grenades to it

While it may be true that nishat has some limitations as for the payload it can carry. That shouldn't stop us from overcoming that shotcoming by thinking out of the box. What say?

negi · Post by **negi** » 25 Apr 2010 05:11

Nishant is specially conceived and designed for 'tactical' ops which clearly reflects in its size and hence the payload . There is only so much a catapult launched and parachute recoverable UAV can do . We have other birds from IAI as well as likes of Rustom in the pipeline to fulfill jingo dreams.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 26 Apr 2010 03:00

HAL,BEL beat pvt rivals to win Rustom project

In the Rustom contract, firms need to invest Rs400 crore in prototypes and trials that could take at least a decade, but there was no guarantee of an order from the armed forces once it is completed, said one official at a private firm who did not want to be named or his company to be identified. An HAL official confirmed this.

“If there is no assurance of an order, why should the private industry come forward and invest? We know it takes time to profit, but at least we don’t want to lose money,” the same company official said.

I think GOI should open these defense R&D projects on "Cost + Fixed (or percent) Margin" type competition and see how the private firms approach the project costs and duration in comparison to public orgs such as DRDO, HAL etc.

In this case the success criteria could include practical-design, project-execution methodology, project schedule , lowest finished product cost, lowest expected margin etc.,

There will be some losses while the industry matures but will provide the initial push for cutting-edge private R&D organizations.

Any other ideas?

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 27 Apr 2010 12:49

Nishant Nears End Of Confirmation Trials
Avaition Week

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 30 Apr 2010 13:56

India’s Rustom MALE UAV: A Step Forward - Or Back?

The Rustom development contract also contains no guarantee of an order from the armed forces once it is complete. That’s normal in India, and not unusual in many countries that used staged-gate approval processes for weapons. What’s unusual is the combination of no commitment plus partnership financing requirements, which is a poor fit for the private sector. The HAL official who confirmed these arrangements for LiveMint asked the logical question: “If there is no assurance of an order [and such a high investment target], why should the private industry come forward and invest?” Yet some firms did make that offer, in conjunction with experienced foreign partners. They lost to HAL, whose history of aviation production does not extend to UAVs of this size and complexity.

Craig Alpert · Post by **Craig Alpert** » 09 May 2010 08:05

Indian Navy Drone Crash Lands, seems reparable

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Indian Navy crashed at about 7:30 PM Wednesday while on a routine mission. The accident occurred just short of the runway, as it was approaching for landing. There are no casualties or injuries. A detailed inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

David Siegel · Post by **David Siegel** » 09 May 2010 09:21

Nishant UAVs Crash land during army trials

http://idrw.org/?p=1578
......
With two UAVs crash landings in three days, effectiveness of Defense Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Nishant UAVs has come under scanner. Though officials of the armed forces through their portal have expressed satisfaction over the test results, situation at ground zero tells a different story.

.....
According to sources, on April 28 Nishant was launched from mobile hydro-pneumatic launcher, but in a matter of a few minutes, it deviated from the set path and landed in Chacha village near firing range. Similar incident happened a day after on April 30, when the UAV lost the track and landed merely 200 metres from Lathi police station. Cops at the PS confirmed the crash landing

.........
While the UAV was damaged by the crash landing, on both the occasions, before air force personnel could reach the site, villagers managed to break into the aircraft and took away quite a few equipment.

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 09 May 2010 16:37

[quote="David Siegel"]Nishant UAVs Crash land during army trials

http://idrw.org/?p=1578
......
With two UAVs crash landings in three days, effectiveness of Defense Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Nishant UAVs has come under scanner./quote]

Has any Dassault, Boeing, Northrop, McDonnel, Douglas, Lockheed, BAe, MiG Sukhoi, TU, YAK, Sikorsky made aircraft without a single crash ?

K

Craig Alpert · Post by **Craig Alpert** » 09 May 2010 18:22

Who cares for the crash??? What's hurtful is the fact that parts of UAV's are being STOLEN by the villagers, who by the way RESIDE in the INDO-PAK borders.... Wouldn't be surprised if they sell it to their Paki masters for a hefty sum!!! That is more worrisome than a couple of UAV's crashing during user trials (to what seems to be a minor technical probably software glitch)

sum · Post by **sum** » 09 May 2010 22:20

Though Air Force officials are mum over the incident, it was learnt that the two Nishant UAVs, during a trial, had lost their way due to change in wind direction and they were landed through parachute. The vehicles were towed away from the spot and are being repaired at present.

Arent the UAVs supposed to take care of this aspect in their design or is it that (Indian) UAVs can be operated only in clear, sunny, windless days?

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 10 May 2010 10:58

UAVs made in Punjab

A private firm will supply unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the eyes in the sky to be used to track Maoists in inhospitable terrain, besides the familiar job of watching enemy movements across the border. Ludhiana’s Bhogal Hobby Tech — a group better known for its cycles — will supply UAVs to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Bhogal claims its UAV is similar to the Israeli version that Indian security forces use for training purposes. Each Israeli machine costs around Rs 16 lakh, while the Indian version will come for half the price. “The IAF has ordered five UAVs and we expect the navy and the army to do the same,” company managing partner Manjeev Bhogal said. The air force placed the orders after conducting comprehensive all-weather trials.

An IAF officer at the Chandigarh air base said the locally-built UAVs would initially be used for training. “They can also be used for reconnaissance. They are as good, if not better, than the Israeli version. We will also be looking for India-made larger versions,” he said. Powered by an 86cc petrol engine, Bhogal’s UAV has a wing-span of 14 feet. A handler has to fly the model for 25 hours before qualifying as a “pilot” — operating the device from the ground rather than in the air.

Manjeev promised better versions. “We can produce more powerful versions for the security forces.” The company, he said, can also design and manufacture UAVs that can carry loads — unlike the conventional ones that are not designed to fly with anything.

karan_mc · Post by **karan_mc** » 10 May 2010 11:30

with wing-span of 14 feet.

which Israeli uav match them ? all Israeli uav's have bigger wingspan only Harpy has smaller wingspan ,it seems like smaller then Nishant

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 12 May 2010 19:21

India Develops Mid-Air Collision Technology

A scientist of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has managed to create a technology that can avert mid-air collisions of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Dr. Radhakant Padhi, a scientist from IISc, has been credited with the development of this crucial technology which can prevent aerial vehicles, manned or unmanned, from crashing into enemy vehicles or other objects.

Dr. Radhakant Padhi has developed this technology which uses collision guidance algorithms, which is a series of pre-installed instructions which can detect and destroy a target. The technology has been called the ‘MPSP Algorithm’. Basically, the aerial vehicle will be fed with mission-specific instructions that will enable the vehicle to reach their target despite deviations or distractions from its pre-ordained path. This technology can be deployed to avoid mid-air collisions of commercial aircrafts as well.

Incidentally, Dr.Padhi has received a funding of $80,000 from the Air Force Research Lab of the US to develop collision avoidance algorithms for UAVs.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 14 May 2010 10:44

Boeing Unveils 'Phantom Ray' Stealth Drone

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 15 May 2010 06:04

Sanjay M wrote:Boeing Unveils 'Phantom Ray' Stealth Drone

From above link..

Boeing says it fronted the money itself to build the prototype. At this point it's unclear when Boeing might be able to actually sell a Phantom Ray or how much one would cost a buyer.

Pity that this beauty might just remain a dream, especially with all the cost-cutting in defense expenditure by Obama, Gates and co..

rohiths · Post by **rohiths** » 15 May 2010 06:39

We have to hope that is just a dream. It will give unkil unlimited powers in the battlefield and a future Ombaba may just give a few to Pakistan.
I sincerely hope this will die in cost cutting like the F-22.

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 15 May 2010 06:54

Here's more on the Phantom Ray (video included):

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/14/boei ... ut-set-to/

So just imagine - unmanned weapons like this could completely change the rules of air power.

They could fly far riskier missions, could surpass human endurance, as well as human tolerance for high-G maneuvers, etc.

Pretty amazing that it was developed in only 2 years, using rapid prototyping technology.

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 15 May 2010 08:48

Craig Alpert wrote:Who cares for the crash??? What's hurtful is the fact that parts of UAV's are being STOLEN by the villagers, who by the way RESIDE in the INDO-PAK borders.... Wouldn't be surprised if they sell it to their Paki masters for a hefty sum!!! That is more worrisome than a couple of UAV's crashing during user trials (to what seems to be a minor technical probably software glitch)

TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE POST

Marut · Post by **Marut** » 15 May 2010 11:03

^The people in question are Indians, so be a little considerate in your 'education' to them.

sum · Post by **sum** » 15 May 2010 13:50

Deleted!

Thanks heavens our decision makers dont think like this!!

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 May 2010 14:08

instead a compressed air cartridge should explode and spray anyone who opens it with indelible orange ink. this is
sometimes used to catch people who handle drugs and fake currency.

in a few hours the local police can round up the miscreants from their burrows.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 19 May 2010 07:58

Special Report - How the White House learned to love the drone

In the rugged mountains of western Pakistan, missiles launched by unmanned Predator or Reaper drones have become so commonplace that some U.S. officials liken them to modern-day "cannon fire." And they are no longer aimed solely at "high-value" targets like Mehsud, according to U.S. counterterrorism and defence officials.

rakall · Post by **rakall** » 19 May 2010 09:46

VinodTK wrote:Special Report - How the White House learned to love the drone

In the rugged mountains of western Pakistan, missiles launched by unmanned Predator or Reaper drones have become so commonplace that some U.S. officials liken them to modern-day "cannon fire." And they are no longer aimed solely at "high-value" targets like Mehsud, according to U.S. counterterrorism and defence officials.

Yup.. they are no longer aimed solely at "high-value" targets like Mehsud --- but also little children studying in schools, poor villagers buying their daily bread at market place.. Who wouldnt love that !!!

Craig Alpert · Post by **Craig Alpert** » 21 May 2010 04:39

COMBAT ROBOTS (caliber D-5?) TO JOIN DELHI POLICE FORCE!!!

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 22 May 2010 06:45

X-post

India Embraces Defense Technology Road Map

While India continues to look to Israel as a provider of tactical UAVs—the addition of further Searchers or Herons is likely—the state-owned Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) is conducting a feasibility study of an indigenous UCAV design concept.

“UAVs with advanced sensors and weapons are going to dominate all facets of the future battlefield and hence the need to acquire the necessary UAV expertise indigenously,” the road map document states. “These should be capable of carrying payloads such as weapons, [synthetic aperture radar] payloads, electro-optical devices, [and] electronic and communications intelligence."

Sanjay M · Post by **Sanjay M** » 23 May 2010 07:49

USAF Spacecraft is Ultimate High-Flying Drone

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 24 May 2010 15:30

India may soon get its own UAV: HAL chairman

"May be after two to three years, the HAL might come out with India's own UAV. We have already developed one, Lakshya, but it was on a smaller scale. Now, we are developing the Lakshya's MAK-II," he said.

Nayak added that the Lakshya's MAK-II would be used for 'air to air practice', and pointed out that it will not be used for combat or surveillance purposes.

Kakarat · Post by **Kakarat** » 27 May 2010 05:36

REVEALED! Indian UCAV Is A Tongue-Twister: She's Called The "IUSAP" - LiveFist

Revealed possibly for the first time here on LiveFist, India's proposed unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is being developed under what is called Programme AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft) and the prototype technology demonstrator being conceptualised goes by the working title Indian Unmanned Strike Aircraft (IUSA) or Indian Unmanned Strike Aircraft Programme (IUSAP). The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and Agency (ADA) are currently conducting a feasibility study of two UCAV designs and expects to freeze a concept in 2011. The National Aeronautics Laboratory is also involved in the concept study of the IUSA. While the Nishant and Rustom UAVs have been publicly shown before, the Defence Ministry has asked ADA to keep the IUSAP classified and out of sight as far as possible. I've been told by sources that the first demonstrator is likely to be an all composite swept-wing model, though a lot of design elements haven't been frozen just yet.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 27 May 2010 08:49

Kakarat wrote:REVEALED! Indian UCAV Is A Tongue-Twister: She's Called The "IUSAP" - LiveFist

Revealed possibly for the first time here on LiveFist, India's proposed unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is being developed under what is called Programme AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft) and the prototype technology demonstrator being conceptualised goes by the working title Indian Unmanned Strike Aircraft (IUSA) or Indian Unmanned Strike Aircraft Programme (IUSAP). The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and Agency (ADA) are currently conducting a feasibility study of two UCAV designs and expects to freeze a concept in 2011. The National Aeronautics Laboratory is also involved in the concept study of the IUSA. While the Nishant and Rustom UAVs have been publicly shown before, the Defence Ministry has asked ADA to keep the IUSAP classified and out of sight as far as possible. I've been told by sources that the first demonstrator is likely to be an all composite swept-wing model, though a lot of design elements haven't been frozen just yet.

Yesterday there was an Hindustan Times advt calling for recruitment for ADA position. This was the first time AURA program was mentioned.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 27 May 2010 09:03

shukla wrote:We have already developed one, Lakshya, but it was on a smaller scale. Now, we are developing the Lakshya's MAK-II," he said.

How about Nishant UAV? Was that not developed by India? Or did it have a fair share of technical help coming from out side?

Sagar G · Post by **Sagar G** » 27 May 2010 14:44

Sachin wrote:How about Nishant UAV? Was that not developed by India? Or did it have a fair share of technical help coming from out side?

Nishant has been developed by ADE hence not mentioned by HAL Chairman.

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 27 May 2010 20:10

Boeing tests ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle

The 75-minute flight evaluated the aircraft's airworthiness and flight characteristics in a simulated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission, Boeing said in a statement. The UAV, powered by a six-horsepower, heavy-fuel engine, was launched from a ground vehicle. It flew an autonomous flight plan at various altitudes and provided streaming video from its electro-optical/infrared sensor package to a nearby ground station, the statement said.

The aircraft was then recovered using the same runway-independent SkyHook recovery system used by the ScanEagle and Integrator unmanned airborne systems. The ScanEagle Compressed Carriage (SECC) is a low-cost, long endurance autonomous unmanned aerial system. It has been designed to keep track of both static as well as moving targets, providing real-time intelligence. Capable of flying above 16,000 feet, the UAV has also demonstrated its ability to provide persistent low-altitude reconnaissance.

sathyaC · Post by **sathyaC** » 29 May 2010 07:52

Boeing Receives 1st F-16 for Conversion into QF-16 Aerial Drone

http://idrw.org/?p=1821#more-1821

The first retired F-16 Falcon arrived at Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] Cecil Field facility in Jacksonville on April 22 to begin conversion into a QF-16 aerial drone. Boeing received a $69.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force on March 8 for the first phase of the QF-16 program.

The Boeing-led team, which includes BAE Systems, will begin engineering, manufacturing and development of the full-scale manned and unmanned QF-16s during Phase 1. The drones will be used as aerial targets for newly developed weapons and tactics. They will be a higher-performing aircraft than the QF-4s they will replace.

The team will receive six F-16s during the program’s development phase. After modification to the QF-16 configuration, they will serve as prototypes for engineering tests and evaluation prior to low-rate initial production. Up to 126 QF-16 drones will be converted beginning in 2014.

Matthew_H · Post by **Matthew_H** » 03 Jun 2010 11:28

DELETED.