Scientists developing futuristic tech for swarm UAV missions

ADE Director P Srikumar

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

https://twitter.com/akxpress

Bangalore: The next generation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems will be equipped with high performance, specialised payloads to carry out 'dull, dirty and dangerous' missions. In addition to gathering intelligence over sustained periods of time (days to months), these UAVs will be providing situational awareness, acquisition and identification of targets, Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD) and will be operating in a network-centric environment.

In an interview to Express, Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) Director P Srikumar said issues relating to sharing of civilian air space will have to be addressed while developing new UAV systems. "The technical challenge will be to develop technologies required for co-operative flying among UAVs and design of swarm missions. (During swarm missions, a group of UAVs communicate to each other and undertake varied tasks). Many of the technologies required and missions like SEAD and DEAD are niche in nature. Some of the futuristic technologies are denied to India and we have to develop them from scratch. This is a challenge and scientists working on UAV systems are working on areas to bridge the gap," Srikumar said. 

He said in the present global scenario where proxy wars and asymmetric warfare take precedence over conventional full-fledged battles, it is only apt for nations to be fully prepared in handling these dangerous encounters. "Missions related to handling ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) are key factors and unmanned platforms play a major role in countering these skirmishes. ADE has drawn a road map addressing the requirements of various classes of UAVs and is now working towards meeting the developmental challenges keeping the user requirements in mind," Srikumar said.

The tactical UAV Nishant, developed by ADE, is already being used by Indian armed forces, while other unmanned platforms like Rustom-1 and Rustom-2 are undergoing various developmental trials. 

ADE also supports educational institutions to undertake cutting edge research in UAVs and micro air vehicles (MAVs). "At present there are around 300 engineering students doing their project work in the related areas at ADE. Under the National Programme on Micro Air Vehicle mission, several projects in the field of MAVs have been given to academic institutions. "We also give research projects directly to professors in leading academic institutes to develop core technologies required for our current and future applications," Srikumar said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Nirbhay warms up for launch; DRDO gags its men

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched probably one of the most secretive operations in the recent times ahead of the upcoming maiden test of Nirbhay, a subsonic cruise missile. Sources confirmed to Express on Wednesday that the missile has reached the Interim Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, after its long journey from Bangalore, by road. The tentative launch date is now fixed for March 10 (subject to changes) and the campaign activities will enter the last lap in the coming days.
But, the DRDO officials in Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad have gone into a shell, working on a common script and refusing to reveal any details of the launch. “The DRDO HQ had to answer some queries recently over too many sensitive information appearing in the media. These are national programmes and the DRDO has been told to adopt a tied-tongue policy,” a top official with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The Services too have expressed their displeasure of too many DRDO officials interacting with the media, ahead of critical launches.
Nirbhay will have its maiden test from a mobile launcher, with a pre-designed target set in the sea. Sources said that the R&D Engineers, Pune, a specialised arm of DRDO, have completed making changes on the launcher. The missile was originally scheduled to be tested in October 2012, but last-minute changes on the launcher brought in delays.
With an ability to travel at a speed of 0.7 Mach and perform multiple manoeuvres, Nirbhay is the first full-fledged missile being developed in Bangalore, outside DRDO’s Missile Complex in Hyderabad. Designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment, Nirbhay is a two-stage missile with a range of about 1,000 km.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

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India's first 'made-in-Bangalore' missile Nirbhay set for Dec launch | DRDO makes changes to launcher

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Nirbhay, the desi version of Tomahawk subsonic cruise missile will be ready for flight trials in December. Designed and developed at Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unit, the two-stage missile has a range of about 1,000 km. It can travel at a speed of 0.7 Mach, performing multiple manoeuvers, before hitting the target. 

Nirbhay (meaning fearless) will be India's first subsonic cruise missile, capable of being launched from different platforms. It is also India's first made-in-Bangalore missile, developed outside DRDO's Missile Complex in Hyderabad. Sources told Express that the launch, earlier planned for October, has now been shifted to December owing to the changes being made to the launcher. It is being built by R&D Engineers, Pune, a specialised arm of DRDO.

Other than one major imported component (a Russian-made turbofan engine), sources claim that the missile is completely indigenous. The cost of Nirbhay is expected to be around Rs 10 crore a piece with DRDO spending around Rs 70 crore so far. Though the project was sanctioned in 2004, the scientists ran into many critical challenges. “There were many unforeseen events we had to counter and overcome while developing Nirbhay. The project picked up momentum in 2010 onwards,” sources said.

All the three defence Services have shown interest in Nirbhay and DRDO is riding high on the success of Agni A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 missiles tested in the last five months. “Nirbhay is a medium-range cruise missile capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 500 metres to four km.  It is approximately 6 metres long and 550 mm in diameter. A booster and sustainer with two wings make the missile fly at low altitudes, completely ducking enemy radars. The air-breathing engine along with four tail fins control the velocity and path of the missile. Nirbhay is integrated with ring-laser gyro-based high accuracy navigation system and a radio altimeter for the height lock,” sources said.

A team of 25 scientists have been working on Nirbhay project at ADE, while another 50 were spread across various DRDO labs. ADE bagged the Nirbhay project, owing to their success with the pilotless target aircraft, Lakshya. 

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Prithivi a hit again: Prithvi (PII), the 350-km range strategic missile was successfully launched by  Strategic Forces Command  from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, on Thursday morning. A one-line DRDO release said that the missile met all  mission objectives.

UAV Test pilot Lt Col Thapa to command DRDO's R-Day contingent | Part of Army UAV team since 2000 | Piloted Rustom-1 externally 9 times so far

Lt Col V S Thappa (inset) and on the jeep during the R-Day rehearsals in New Delhi. Photo: DRDO 

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore:  Lt Col V S Thapa, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) external Test pilot, hailing from Dehradun, will command this year's Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Republic Day parade contingent in New Delhi. Thapa, is presently posted on a special assignment to Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) – which is the abode of home-grown UAVs, including Nishant and Rustom.

Speaking to Express from Delhi, Thapa said that it was a very esteemed occasion for him to command the unit. “It is a lifetime opportunity that has come my way and I am working hard to make it a success. The rehearsals have been good and we have fine-tuned everything before the big day,” the 44-year-old Thapa said.

Thapa hit the headlines after conventionally flying Rustom-1 UAV for the first time in October 2010, and so far has piloted (externally) nine flights of Rustom-1. An officer from the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army, Thapa is certified as an external pilot from Israeli Aerospace Industries, Malat, Israel. He is part of Army's UAV team since 2000 and has handled Searcher Mk-I Alpha and Searcher Mk-II UAVs. Thapa is married to Puja with the couple having a daughter Bani, studying in 7th standard.

DRDO sources tell Express that Thapa was selected to lead the R-Day contingent after a vigorous selection process. “There were four other officers in the race and Thapa was selected after scrutinizing various parameters,” sources said.

ADE Director P S Krishnan said that the lab couldn't have asked for more with a member of his team being chosen to command the DRDO R-Day team. “A double honour for us, with Thapa and Rustom-1 chosen for the parade. The UAV by itself can be used for  various reconnaissance purposes, though it is a technology demonstration vehicle for Rustom-2,” Krishnan said.

In addition to Rustom-1, Thapa will have in his company missiles Agni-4 and Prahaar, in addition to a tableau depicting gen-next technologies used while handling hazards of snow and avalanches.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Swadeshi pride vs software stability? Army keeps DRDO on toes over UAV Nishant induction

 (Above) A rare photo of Nishant captured soon after its release from a mobile launcher. (Below) Indian Army officials inspect unmanned aerial vehicle Nishant during confirmatory trials at Pokhran.
Photo: Ministry of Defence

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: The Indian Army is yet to induct the desi Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Nishant even after completing the confirmatory trials in Pokhran and Chandan ranges in February this year. Its makers in Bangalore – the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) – a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) installation, had then gone to the town trumpeting the UAV's success.
“The successful flight trials were conducted by the Army before taking delivery of a set of four Nishant together with ground support equipment (GSE). The performance of the pay load sensors in particular has been better than even the imported UAVs with the Army . It is expected that more of such equipment will soon be purchased (read as eight) by the users," the DRDO had said in an official release issued in February.
While the ADE top brass refused to any share information, sighting the sensitives involved at this stage, sources in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in New Delhi confirmed to The New Indian Express, that post-confirmatory trials, another last set of evaluation was also done by the Indian Army in September this year, at two DRDO labs. “As far as we know, the final tests were for electro-magnetic interference (EMI), electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC) and maintenance evaluation trials (MET),” MoD sources said.
The General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR) for the Nishant project was given to the DRDO by the Indian Army in 1999, soon after the developmental trails were over. While, some quarters blame the Army for changing the GSQRs a number of times, the DRDO too was accused of taking too much time in executing the technology changes.
The four Nishants waiting to be inducted, at a cost of Rs 80 crore, have onboard a forward looking infra red (FLIR) camera which would aid night operations. The upgraded Nishant can spot a tank-size object at a slant range of six-seven km while flying at an altitude of of 1.5 km.
While the DRDO might be pondering over the induction procedures of Army, sources indicate that a decision would be officially announced within two months. The DRDO is pitching hard on Nishant's USPs, including low repair cost and quick software maintenance modes. On its part, the Indian Army is ensuring that they have a UAV loaded with their choice of features – and not one thrust upon them to satisfy the swadeshi pride, but operational efficiencies.
Army had issues with Nishant's video and tracking qualities, which the DRDO now says are all fixed.The Indian Army might place an order for eight more Nishants, including GSE, at a cost of Rs 160 crore, once the much-awaited induction of first four is over.

NISHANT TIMELINES

Sanctioned as a development project: 1991
Development trials: 1999
User evaluation & trials: 2000-2002
Firm Army order for 4 LSPs: 2006
Value of the order: Rs 80 crore
Confirmatory trials: 2010-2011
Post-confirmatory tests: September 2011
Total R&D cost so far: Rs 60 crore
Likely additional orders: 8
(Source: Ministry of Defence)

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Rustom-1 was a dream flight: DRDO

Snapshots of Rustom-1 maiden flight from TAAL, Hosur: Photos: DRDO

| By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Bangalore |  India | October 18, 2010 |

India has flown the homegrown Rustom-1 unmanned aerial vehicle for the first time.

Developed by the Defense Research Development Organization’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the 30-min. flight took place Oct. 16 from a Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd. airfield at Housr, near Bangalore.“Notwithstanding erratic weather conditions, the UAV had a perfect textbook flight, meeting all mission parameters,” says Dr. Prahlada, chief controller at DRDO. “It had an autonomous taxiing, takeoff, flight and landing. It flew to a planned altitude of 3,000 feet.” Rustom-1 was commanded from the ground control station by Lt. Col. V.S. Thapa, an Indian army UAV operator.

“It was a dream flight, and we couldn’t have asked for more on its maiden outing,” ADE Director P.S. Krishnan says. “The flight demonstration has given us the confidence to try different parameters next time.”

(This is a backlog update from Aviation Week to Tarmak007)

For the full story, please visit

the Aviation Week link below:

www.aviationweek.com/india

For the previous post on Rustom-1 maiden flight, visit:

http://tarmak007.blogspot.com/2010/10/rustom-maiden-flight-successful-at-taal.html

Rustom Maiden flight successful at TAAL airstrip in Hosur; DRDO says all parameters met during 30-minute flight

Today, 11 months after a failed attempt (pic 1), DRDO says the Rustom-1 had its successful maiden flight (pic 2) at TAAL private airstrip at Hosur on October 16, 2010. The 21-second flight last year (November 15, 2009) had to be aborted. Here's a gist of Saturday's developments, which has been described as a 'dream flight.'

Duration: 30 minutes.

Parameters: Autonomous Taxi, take-off and landing. All flight parameters met. 

Time: 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

Road Ahead: Rustom-H MALE UAV, UCAC

Flown by (Ground control): Col Thappa

DRDO Team at Hosur: Around 60.

The biggies at the event: Dr Prahlada (DRDO CCR&D (Aero & SI), Elangovan (CCR&D), Project Director G. Sreenivasa Murthy, Programme Director G. Natarajan, ADE Director PSK

 Project partners: ADE (Unmmaned missions); DEAL Dehradun (Datalink systems & RF communication to A/c; Zephyr (Pvt firm for airframe).

Project cost: Rs 1,000 crore-plus

History: Rustom is a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV derived fro NAL's Light Canard Research Aircraft (LCRA).

(Detailed story in AW on Monday.)

Note: The blogger is just back to Bangalore after a 15-day tour covering airports and couple of other facilities. Regular updates will begin on Tarmak007 from tomorrow. First up will be Dr Kalam's birthday celebrations in Kerala (Dr Kalam turned 80 on October 15). Also look out for a series on GMR airport Hyderbad, reports on Kochi airport and some insights into DRDO missile programs. Meanwhile, Tarmak007 crossed the 1-lakh hits quitely in a span of just under 7-months. Thanks for your support!