Unmanned Capability

The capability provided by an unmanned system is game changing. It is possible to

have your adversaries under surveillance 24/7. No armed force can do without

unmanned systems and they have proved their worth in Iraq, Afghanistan and the

Balkan conflict.

Unmanned systems not only provide a platform for precision attacks; they go a big way

in saving human lives and preventing collateral damage.

The Indian Army and Paramilitary forces encounter terrorists, insurgents and other

asymmetric and urban warfare threats in cities as well as in the challenging terrains of

North and the North East parts of India. An unmanned system goes a long way in

assisting the forces to keep control.

This report provides an update on the various unmanned air, ground and underwater

systems currently under development for the Indian armed forces.

A look at the present

Unmanned Systems-

Development and

Procurement programs

in India.

March 2010 I A Commentary on Unmanned Systems

NISHANT UAV

Unmanned systems are a strong focus

in the prospective plans for Indian

defence forces as well as homeland

security agencies.

India is building significant unmanned

capability for battlefield management for

conventional, asymmetric and urban

warfare.

Current Indian plans include unmanned

systems for ground, underwater and air

superiority.

Program: MALE (Medium Altitude Long

Endurance) UAV- RUSTOM

Program was initiated by DRDO through ADE. First prototype trial carried out in September 2008.

Range: 250-300km

Payload: 200kg

Max speed: 225 km/h

Operational Ceiling: 35000 feet

Endurance: 24-36hrs

Project cost: US$ 225 million

Detail: The indigenous Rustom project is a pioneering act of the government, as it allows the ADE to choose a domestic partner for the joint development and production for the MALE UAV, termed as Production Agency cum Development Partner (PADP). DRDO will follow a practice of concurrent engineering where initial design efforts also take into consideration production issues, with the production agency participating in the development of the system right from the design stage.

A total of 23 firms had expressed interest in the project and the RFP was issued to the Tata Group; Larsen and Toubro; Godrej Industries and Hindustan Aeronautics-Bharat Electronics. The chosen PADP was also to have a financial stake in the Rustom project. However only HAL-BEL submitted a response to the RFP, leading to a single vendor situation. The private companies found the terms and conditions of six years of investments for design and development as risky with very low returns on investment.

In a setback to the Rustom program, the UAV crashed during its trial on Nov 16, 2009. The test flight took place at the Taneja aerospace airfield, Hosur, Karnataka. The taxiing and takeoff was exactly as planned, however due misjudgment of altitude of the flight, the on-board engine was switched off which made the thrust go to zero.

Program: PAWAN-MINI UAV

4 prototypes to be built by ADE

Range: 150km

Endurance: 5hrs

Development cost: US$ 33 million

Detail: This is a joint program between DRDO and Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI). The Electro-Optical sensors will be provided by IAI. ADE will develop the stabilizer platform. The engine is yet to be determined; however it will not come from an indigenous source.

Program: NIRBHAY UAV

Conventional take off and landing.

Payload: 130kg

Endurance: 2 hours

Recovery: Parachutes; Air bags.

30 units to be built by HAL

Detail: This is a high-speed, medium altitude system. It will be equipped with a tricycle under-carriage. Its mission sensor suite will include X-band inverse synthetic aperture radar (probably an ELTA supply), a wideband two-way data link and a ring laser gyro based inertial navigation system coupled to a GPS receiver. The first flight of the prototype was slated for the second half of 2009. More details are awaited on the same.

Program: NIRBHAY; High Speed TARGET DRONE.

Maximum Take-off weight: 650kg

Max speed: 0.92Mach at 10000ft.

Max speed: 1100km/h at sea level.

Recovery: Parachutes; Air bags.

80 units to be built by HAL

Details: This project was initiated in late 2005 and was put on the fast track. The drone will be powered by a NPO-Saturn supplied 36MT turbofan rated at 400kg. The drone is capable of simulating the flight profiles of land attack; anti-ship cruise and anti-ship sea skimming missiles. The drone will have a digital flight management system, which will enable the drone to undertake various flight maneuvers like snaking, pop-up and a 40-degree dive. The program was slated for its first prototype flight in early 2009. More details are awaited on the same.

Program: NRUAV; Naval rotary unmanned air vehicle.

Based on the Chetak helicopter platform.

Endurance: 6hrs.

Operational celing: 15000feet.

Max speed: 186 km/h. (100 knots)

Payload: 220kg

Detail: The NRUAV will be mainly supplied to the Indian navy, though an attractive export market also exists. A contract between IAI and HAL is currently pending final approval for the exact business terms.

The payload of the NRUAV will consist of the ELTA EL/M -2022 as its multi-mission radar for detecting small naval targets, ground moving targets indication (GMTI), strip and spot Synthetic Aperture Radar modes, range signature, Inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) and a Search and Rescue Transponder (SART). The radar incorporates a Pulse-Doppler target detection and can detect up to 64 airborne targets and track 10 of them.

Program: NETRA, MICRO unmanned air vehicle

QUADROTOR, with VTOL capability.

2-man portable design, weight 1.5kg.

Payload: 300 gms.

Operational ceiling: 200metres.

Endurance: 30 min

Range: 1500metres.

Built by DRDO and IDEAFORGE Tech.

Detail: This is a fully autonomous UAV designed specifically for anti-terrorist and counter insurgency operations. It is used for surveillance and reconnaissance. The operator simply selects the waypoints from a graphical interface showing the map of the area and specifies the heights at these positions. The auto-pilot controller takes over the tasks of take-off and navigation as per the flight plan. The onboard stabilization is achieved by a smart auto pilot controller getting inputs from a GPS, gyro, magnetometers, accelerometers and altitude sensors. The built-in intelligence in the controller allows for failsafe operations wherein in case of either a communication failure or low battery, the UAV returns to take-off position automatically.

100 units of NETRA are being supplied to the Ministry of Home affairs.

Program: Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), DAKSH

Range: 500 meters.

Endurance: 3 hours.

Object handling capacity: 9-20kg.

Weight: 350kg.

Designed for IED handling.

Detail: The unmanned ground vehicle is designed for IED handling and is augmented with X-Ray scanning and an explosive-based Water Jet Disrupter. The operation includes safe-handling and removal of hazardous objects, with in-situ scanning of suspected objects. The attached Water Jet Disruptor has a penetration capability through 1/2'’ inch

plywood at 3metres distance and a diode laser pointer based precision aiming device. DAKSH also has the capability to lift, drag and tow suspected objects from the field.

DAKSH can also be used for NBC reconnaissance. It carries onboard a RADIATION MEASURMENT & AUTOMATIC CONTROL UNIT (RADMAC) and a PORTABLE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH (PGC) to survey contaminated locations.

DAKSH is controlled by a Master Control Station (MCS) that features a membrane keypad, touch screen and joysticks with speed control. It can control DAKSH either in a wireless manner or with the help of fiber optics.

DAKSH and the MCS are carried along with bomb disposal stores and crew in an ergonomically designed carrier vehicle.

20 units of DAKSH are being progressively supplied to the Indian Army by DRDO.

Program: TRACKED UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLE (UGV).

Armored, Amphibious and Air-Mobile

Capability: NBC reconnaissance.

Total weight: 14-tonne.

Range: 400km

Max Speed: 65 km/h

Based on BMP-IIk chassis

DETAIL: This unmanned ground vehicle has cross country capability and is fitted with nuclear, chemical, meteorological and positional sensors for monitoring contaminated areas. This vehicle will counter threats from armies that use NBC warfare.

The prototype of this vehicle was handed over to the army in Aug, ’09. It consists of a drive-by-wire system, which includes electromechanical actuators and drives for the driver interface. The signals from the engine are acquired by a

data acquisition card and displayed in the graphical user interface. The vehicle can transmit data to the command headquarters on request through the communication link controller and a STAR-V radio set.

8 vehicles are to be supplied to the Indian army by the CVRDE (Combat vehicles Research and Development Establishment). This vehicle is widely presumed to be the precursor to the development of a future unmanned battle tank.

Program: GUN MOUNTED REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE (GMR-ROV)

Range: 200 meters.

Endurance: 1.5 hours.

Total Weight: 300kg.

Status: Prototype

Detail: This is a remotely operated vehicle designed for offensive operations mainly in urban areas for hostage situations and counter insurgency missions. The GMR is equipped with a light machine gun (7.62 cal) and a grenade launcher (30 cal) with belt-feed ammunition. The guns have a 2-axis degree of freedom.

The GMR has adequate vision capability to operate during day and night conditions and has a laser pointer for aiming. The indigenously developed PAN-O-VISION camera enables a 180 degree view and has a 22x optical zoom.

The GMR is controlled through a portable Master Control Station allowing the operator easy use and deploy ability.

The GMR-ROV is being developed by the Research & Development Establishment (RADE), Pune.

Program: AUTONOMOUS UNDER WATER VEHICLE (AUV- 150)

Max Depth: 150meters.

Max speed: 2-4 knots (3.7-7.4km/h)

Weight: 490kg.

Detail: This AUV is designed by DRDO and built by the engineers of the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur- West Bengal. The project was sponsored by the ministry of earth sciences and had technical assistance from IIT Kharagpur.

The AUV is 4.8 meters long and 50cm wide. It has onboard a depth sensor, altimeter, sonar, GPS, payload sensors and a hybrid communication system. It is powered by a lithium-polymer battery.

The fresh-water test of the AUV-150 was carried out at in Kerela last month (Feb ’10). The ocean-test is slated for March ’10, off the coast of Chennai. The test will comprise sea floor mapping and monitoring of environmental parameters like current, temperature, depth and salinity. Once the technology is proven, it will be customized for military use, like mine countermeasures, coastal monitoring, etc.

Program: Deep Sea Rescue Vehicle (DSRV)

Max Depth: 610 meters.

Max weight: 20.6 tone

Capacity: 18 men

Operate up to SEASTATE-5

Air-transportable

Detail: The Indian Navy has already selected

the REMORA 2000 deep sea rescue vehicle for

its submarines in 2005, along with its launch

and recovery system and a fully integrated self-

contained emergency life support system

package. The DSRV can transfer personnel

under pressure up to 6 atmospheres into

surface decompression facilities. The related

decompression facility can treat more than 100

personnel. The entire Remora 2000 system can

be air-transported for rapid deployment. The

contract with Canada’s Ocean works is yet to

be signed.

Program: AEROSTAT RADAR – EL/M-2083

Detail: India is purchasing 2 more of these

systems from Israel. This is a follow on order to

the 2 systems that were purchased in early

2007; these are currently deployed in Punjab

and the Rann of Kutch. The Indian Air Force

requires a total of 13 such systems.

There are unconfirmed reports that one of the

Aerostat radars has ‘gone down’ and that it

was probably shot down from across the

border.

Current aerostat systems use a 100-250 foot

long, helium filled, unmanned blimp as the

platform and an array of payloads including

radars, communication links and other sensors.

These tethered aerostats are designed to stay

in the same place and are secured by a cable to

keep the aerostat in position. At that altitude,

large aerostats carry a two ton payload and can

stay up for about 30 days at a time. For the

current platforms usually two radars are

carried - A surveillance radar and a precision

track and illumination radar (PTIR). The

surveillance radar provides long-range

coverage (about 500 kilometers for the EL/M-

2083), while the PTIR, which is a steerable

system capable of tracking multiple targets, can

focus in on items of interest.

The EL/M-2083 costs about $20 million. Israel

itself is using two of them, and has four more

on order.

Aerostat systems have a great use in the Home-

Land Security arena as well. The Ministry of

Home Affairs is seriously considering this

system for the upcoming Common Wealth

Games in Delhi. These will be smaller aerostats

that will have high resolution cameras

Mini and Micro UAVs – Private Initiatives

Unmanned systems is one of the areas where

there are several private-domestic firms taking

active participation. Below is a brief description

of some of them.

AURORA INTEGRATED SYSTEMS (AIS)

Aurora Integrated Systems is an Indian

company developing indigenous technology,

manufacturing and integrating airborne

systems with a focus on small Unmanned Aerial

Systems (UAS). It is supported and funded by

the TATA group.

Aurora Integrated Systems designs and

manufactures Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

AIS is currently offering four different UAS:

•Sky Dot - Micro Aerial Vehicle

•Urban View - Low Altitude Surveillance

System

•ALTIUS - Tactical MALE UAS

•Aero Vista – Aerostat

ANJANI TECHNOPLAST

Anjani established its UAV Division in 2008 with

a focus on Rotary wing UAVs. In 2009 Anjani

took steps to begin production of some rotary

wing UAV models for applications as diverse as

Aerial photography, Surveillance, Field

inspection, Border control, and Military use.

Anjani currently offers 2 models:

MICRO UAS ADG-200

MICRO UAS ADG-1000

MUKESH KUMAR UDYOG (MKU)

MKU has developed an unmanned Aerial

Vehicle christened ‘TERP-II’. It showcased a

prototype of TERP-II at the Defexpo-2010. It

plans to officially launch the ‘TERP-II’ by the

middle of this year.

The Tactical Reconnaissance Electrical Probe

(TREP) is an all composite, backpack-able UAV

System for situational awareness needs of

military, paramilitary and civilian deployments.

The other offering from MKU is the ERASMUS

UAV for frontline operations. The system is

transported in 2 ruggedized containers and

requires 45 minutes for assembly or

disassembly. The system is equipped with an

Image Exploitation System which enables it to

track or target objects based on a visual image

reference.

NOVA INTEGRATED SYSTEMS

India’s Tata Advanced Systems Limited and

Israel Aerospace Industries have floated a joint

venture firm, Nova Integrated Systems Limited

in India to manufacture Unmanned Aerial

Vehicles (UAVs) for payloads greater than 100

Kg payloads. No products are available as of

now.

SPECK SYSTEMS

SPECK Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries

have floated a joint venture firm to

manufacture Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

for payloads less than 100 Kgs. The product

range will include mini and micro UAVs.

Product details are not available..

DELHI TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (DTU)

Lockheed Martin Corporation announced in

September ‘09 that it will be providing a grant

to a group of 10 undergraduate students from

the Delhi Technology University (DTU),

formerly the Delhi College of Engineering, to

develop a Next-Generation Urban UAV. The

Corporation will provide the student group

with Lockheed Martin-generated design space

to structure their efforts. The team will be

required to conduct initial design and then

develop a flying prototype. This group of

students recently won the Director's award for

the best team effort for demonstrating a

successful flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle

(UAV) at the 2009 Association of Unmanned

Vehicles System International (AUVSI) Student

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) competition.

ideaFORGE

ideaForge, a company founded by three IIT

Bombay alumni, has developed Carbon, an

autonomous hovering Unmanned Aerial

Vehicle (UAV) for short range reconnaissance,

surveillance and scientific missions, terrain

mapping, and disaster management. According

to the manufacturers, Carbon is the lightest

and smallest possible UAV currently available.

The aircraft weighs less than 1.5 kilogram and

can fly at a cruise speed of 25 kilometer per

hour (kmph) and a maximum speed of 40

kmph. The inbuilt battery allows it to stay in air

for about 30 minutes and fly up to two

kilometers at a stretch.

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