Can a modified HSTDV be used as Reconnaissance Drone?

[IND151]

The HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic flight (Mach 6.5). The HSTDV program is run by the DRDO[1].

hello friends HSTDV is hyper sonic vehicle so it cant carry spy cameras

but can a ramjet powered supersonic HSTDV (SSTDV) cruising at speed of 3.2 mach and altitude of 80,000 feet (so that enemy fighters and SAMs cant harm it) be used as Reconnaissance Drone?

Imagine a scenario where a modified HSTDV flies,reaches at altitude 80,000 feet with speed of 3.2 mach.

it infiltrates into Pak Airspace, takes photos of vital Pak Military Installations and Assets,while remaining out of the range of PAK SAMs and fighters (due to high altitude) and landing in Farkhor
IAF base in Tajikistan.

if we manage, it will be great boost to our Reconnaissance capabilities

and if you think that we can use spy sats remember vital contribution of SR 71 to US intelligence
and psychological impact this HSTDV will have (like our old IAF MIG 25)

do you think it is possible?

discuss it members

 

[Skull and Bones]

Obviously possible, but a costly prospective, specially when we can have spy satellites having an eye on them 24x7.

I would want HSTDV to be more creative, like launching mini/micro or Nano satellites into space at a fraction of the cost than conventional rocket launch.

 

[IND151]

^^ read third last para in my post

 

[Skull and Bones]

^^ read third last para in my post

Lets not just show off here, even having such platforms is enough for psychological warfare.

 

[IND151]

^^ its not about show off

Recon HSTDV will give us same advantage like Mig 25 we used in Recon missions for years or like SR 71 gave to US (but significantly lesser)

Sat's orbit can be predicted which is not case for HSTDV

 

[Skull and Bones]

^^ its not about show off

Recon HSTDV will give us same advantage like Mig 25 we used in Recon missions for years or like SR 71 gave to US (but significantly lesser)

Sat's orbit can be predicted which is not case for HSTDV

A number of low orbit spy satellites can nullify that advantage.

 

[tvsram1992]

Some thing like Reusable Brahmos would be right for this A recon vehicle can be developed using Brahmos ramjet technology .

 

[IND151]

^^ HSTDV is also reusable

 

[IND151]

guys post your opinion

 

[Sergi]

How about inducting Normal Drones, UAVs and UCAV ( if any )

It's too long leap. Better go step by step with proper management. Otherwise all projects would be a mess without results

 

[Markus]

I think SR71 and U2 can keep flying over their target in rounds until they capture all information.

An unmanned supersonic drone wont have loitering type of ability and it will just zoom past over its target...I have doubts on the quality of the data that will get captured by it.

 

[jha]

Pahle ban to jaaye..use bhi kar lenege...

HSTDV is too high a target.. Lets hope DRDO is not trolling us.

 

[IND151]

I think SR71 and U2 can keep flying over their target in rounds until they capture all information.

An unmanned supersonic drone wont have loitering type of ability and it will just zoom past over its target...I have doubts on the quality of the data that will get captured by it.

it should have speed adjustment facility i.e when on target its speed will be lower (around 2.4 Mach) an then it will take photo, will regain full speed and will land in farkhor base

what we need is very advanced cameras to compensate the problem of lack of loitering capacity( i know it wont collect data as much accurate as SR 71 but still good)

 

[Markus]

it should have speed adjustment facility i.e when on target its speed will be lower (around 2.4 Mach) an then it will take photo, will regain full speed and will land in farkhor base

what we need is very advanced cameras to compensate the problem of lack of loitering capacity( i know it wont collect data as much accurate as SR 71 but still good)

Implementing that "should" above in practicality will require many years of research and millions of dollars.

 

[Fazlu]

Should've , Could've, Would've.


Watch and burn !