India's Current & Future UAVs & UCAVs

[randombully]

It has temp vertical fins which are used only for taxi trials and first flight. Must be the actual prototype, not just a model.

Vertical fins, help a lot in yaw and turning, to the extent that even with modern computers we can't fully compensate for their lack, solutions like moving wingtips seen on j50 can only Partially help, but creates new challenges.
And swift k is not intented to be as stealthy as stealth fighters, for example stealth cruise missiles do not use expensive fighter jet level RAM materials due to one time use nature of the missile, their reduction in rcs is mainly due to shape, so they are not "stealth" cruise missile more " quite low obersvable" cruise missiles, and the extra radar stealth even if RAM was applied arguably will not provide much of a advantage to stealth cruise missiles(compared to general cruise missiles) due to Proliferation of IR/EO sensors for short to medium range.
Plus their smaller size also helps.
Also for materials used on the surface of missiles, they are same level of composites used on Tejas or other modern 4.5+ fighter jets.





So even with these fins swift-K will still be quite low obersvable/quasi stealth, same level of stealth as found in stealth cruise missiles, but it's maneuverability will improve a lot.

 

[FalconSlayers]

View: https://x.com/tataadvanced/status/1925878236094898407

 

[Anants]

We need our own starlink within this decade without delay. Starlink is proving decisive for Ukrainian drones which even Russians seems to lament ISRO and govt must prioritize defence and security in space pronto. Get you existing workhorse distribute them to pvt and have at least two launches per month. And for every satellite you send build a backup, so that one fails another could be sent corrected faster.

 

[eastern_bhartiya]

We need our own starlink within this decade without delay. Starlink is proving decisive for Ukrainian drones which even Russians seems to lament ISRO and govt must prioritize defence and security in space pronto. Get you existing workhorse distribute them to pvt and have at least two launches per month. And for every satellite you send build a backup, so that one fails another could be sent corrected faster.

There are lot of misconceptions about Russia's invasion of ukraine.

First thing is drones haven't been that harmful to Russians except for maybe start of the war to arround late 2023s. Biggest threat to Russians have been Ukrainian spec op units and artillery (both mlrs and howitzers).

 

[Anants]

There are lot of misconceptions about Russia's invasion of ukraine.

First thing is drones haven't been that harmful to Russians except for maybe start of the war to arround late 2023s. Biggest threat to Russians have been Ukrainian spec op units and artillery (both mlrs and howitzers).

Actually go through interview of Russian drone designer, its enlightning. Artillery and MLRS are sitting ducks for russian drones who are nearing 40000 drones manufacture per week! Tells you about how drones have quickly taken up roles which earlier were taken by Konkakt type of missiles. In that interview fellow admitted Russians with same mentality as what you state in post but had to quickly learn how to use drones. Ukrainians are dropping anti tank mines from air directly on vehicles. Both are denying sabotaging supply routes via drones Ukrainians are using non jammable remotely connected via starlings usv and uav to cinduct strikes which have been impactful.

 

[randombully]

View: https://x.com/writetake/status/1925881485673771040

Apparently according to AKM , this orange flying wing with twin stabs is not related to swift-K, just one of some small scale demostrators for flight testing.

 

[Gyyaan]

View: https://x.com/writetake/status/1925881485673771040

Apparently according to AKM , this orange flying wing with twin stabs is not related to swift-K, just one of some small scale demostrators for flight testing.

I remember seeing the samilar models(ones with tails) from both IISc and IITK.

 

[liberalredditor]

I remember seeing the samilar models(ones with tails) from both IISc and IITK.

yes ghatak scaled versions/ swift wind tunnel model are there in the wind tunnel, some proffs have worked on control systems and aero side of it, and many proffs have started teaching about wing body aircrafts

i dont know much about this, will have to ask a senior in this matter


what happened to tapas? any progress?

 

[FalconSlayers]

View: https://x.com/larsentoubro/status/1929456383499673981

 

[FalconSlayers]

Delhi-based Veda Aeronautics has started delivering catapult-launched small loitering munitions to the Indian Air Force (IAF) under a INR3 billion (USD35.1 million) contract secured in 2023.

Janes understands that Veda Aeronautics is supplying 200 jet-powered loitering munitions called Sureshastra Mk1 to the IAF. These loitering munitions can carry warheads and different types of sensors including for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Sureshastra Mk1 has a length of 3.5 m, a wingspan of 3 m, a weight of 90 kg, and a range of more than 150 km.

IAF procures small loitering munitions

Delhi-based Veda Aeronautics has started delivering catapult-launched small loitering munitions to the Indian Air Force (IAF) under a INR3 billion (USD35.1 million)...

www.janes.com

Although I won't call these "small". These are decently big and cost ₹1.5 crore each on average (including other infra and equipment like catapults and control systems).

 

[ashes]

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianDefense/s/PxO4sOxALJ
An excellent collection of Uavs and ucavs which are inducted or under development

 

[ArjunMK1A]

We should order TAPAS BH 201 , Rustom 1 in bulk. Entire purpose of drone is being cheaper and expendable in nature. TAPAS in good numbers gives good isr capability in all domains.18 hrs is good when the hermes showed only 10 hrs max. Also rustam 1 can carry atgm, ulpgm. We can use them to strike assets across borders without wasting other expensive missile.

 

[FalconSlayers]

We should order TAPAS BH 201 , Rustom 1 in bulk. Entire purpose of drone is being cheaper and expendable in nature. TAPAS in good numbers gives good isr capability in all domains.18 hrs is good when the hermes showed only 10 hrs max. Also rustam 1 can carry atgm, ulpgm. We can use them to strike assets across borders without wasting other expensive missile.

20 Rustom-1 (Archer/SR-UAV) are on "order" being sub-contracted to Godrej Aerospace.

Breaking: BEL to manufacture 20 Archer UAV - BEL

DRDO’s Rustom UAV program is an attempt to equip Indian Armed forces with Advance UAV technology which can not only perform ISR mission but can also take combat missions. This program has not been divided into two separate programs or products with lots of similarity between the platforms...

bel-india.in

Don't know what happened to it as not much has been reported about it. Also the 220km range sounds BS to me unless I am missing something.

 

[silentassassin265]

20 Rustom-1 (Archer/SR-UAV) are on "order" being sub-contracted to Godrej Aerospace.

Breaking: BEL to manufacture 20 Archer UAV - BEL

DRDO’s Rustom UAV program is an attempt to equip Indian Armed forces with Advance UAV technology which can not only perform ISR mission but can also take combat missions. This program has not been divided into two separate programs or products with lots of similarity between the platforms...

bel-india.in

Don't know what happened to it as not much has been reported about it. Also the 220km range sounds BS to me unless I am missing something.

220km line of sight I think if satcom is possible then range will increase.
Hope they use it against naxals and finish them for good this time.

 

[snakeeyes07]

20 Rustom-1 (Archer/SR-UAV) are on "order" being sub-contracted to Godrej Aerospace.

Breaking: BEL to manufacture 20 Archer UAV - BEL

DRDO’s Rustom UAV program is an attempt to equip Indian Armed forces with Advance UAV technology which can not only perform ISR mission but can also take combat missions. This program has not been divided into two separate programs or products with lots of similarity between the platforms...

bel-india.in

Don't know what happened to it as not much has been reported about it. Also the 220km range sounds BS to me unless I am missing something.

I don't know how effective these will be in a contested zone like India-Pakistan border, TB2 and Akinci were missing in the recent skirmish. I feel Nagastra type recoverable loitering munition are better suited to work in contested battlefields.

 

[silentassassin265]

I don't know how effective these will be in a contested zone like India-Pakistan border, TB2 and Akinci were missing in the recent skirmish. I feel Nagastra type recoverable loitering munition are better suited to work in contested battlefields.

No, this are for surveillance and counter insurgency only.
It won't be useful against a real army but quite cheaper for surveillance.