DRDO develops UAV ‘Netra’ to aid anti-terrorist operations

[CONNAN]

The Hindu : News / National : DRDO develops UAV ‘Netra’ to aid anti-terrorist operations

A DRDO staff demonstrates the functioning of 'Netra' Unmanned Ariel Vehicle to Defence Minister A.K.Antony at the 6th Interntional Land and Naval Defence Systems Exhibition in New Delhi. File Photo: S. Subramanium

India’s defence research agency DRDO has developed an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) specifically for anti-terrorist and counter insurgency operations, which will be inducted into the armed forces by the year-end.

The 1.5 kg UAV, called ‘Netra’, is a collaborative development project between ideaForge, a company formed by a group of Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, alumni and one of Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Pune-based labs, Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) (R&DE) Pune.

DRDO scientist Dr Alok Mukherjee, who demonstrated the UAV, here yesterday said Netra would be ready for induction into the services within the next six months after it is subjected to some more trial tests.

“The UAV is capable of operating in all the conflict theatres, including urban quarters, in a situation similar to that of the 26/11 terror attacks.”, he told reporters here yesterday.

Dr. Mukerjee said the estimated cost of Netra is Rs 20 lakhs, but the price could vary if additional components like thermal camera are added as per the requirements of the security agencies concerned and their use.

IdeaForge, vice-president (Marketing and Operations Unmanned Systems) Amardeep Singh said the UAV has been designed to carry out surveillance in an area of 1.5 KM Line of Sight (LOS) and has an endurance capacity of 30 minutes of battery charge.

Apart from that, Netra is equipped with a resolution CCD camera with a pan/tilt and zoom to facilitate wider surveillance. It can also be fitted with thermal cameras to carry out night operations.

Singh said the operational altitude of the UAV is 200 meters maximum, having a vertical take-off and landing capacity (VTOL) and is equipped with a wireless transmitter.

In addition to that, the in-built fail-safe features allows Netra to return to base on loss of communication or low battery.

Asked if the UAV could function in all-weather condition, Singh said the machine cannot be operated in rainy conditions but research is being carried out to make Netra function even during monsoon.

 

[Choppers]

Netra UAV to be inducted soon​

BY: TNN

The unmanned aerial vehicle, Netra, jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and a group of former Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) students, is expected to be inducted into the security services by the end of this year.

A demonstration of the UAV was held during the concluding ceremony of the five-day long digital image processing technology seminar organised by the Army Institute of Technology (AIT).

“The vehicle can be used for surveillance in different terrains, including jungles, plains, mountains and deserts,” said Alok Mukherjee, a scientist at the Research and Development Engineers, DRDO, who is associated with the project. “. We have planned to make it available only to the government and not to private parties.”

“Some tests on the vehicles have been carried out. The remaining tests will be carried out in six months. After that it is expected to get inducted into the security forces,” Mukherjee said, adding, “Both the defence minister as well chief home secretary have shown interest in this vehicle.”

According to Ashish Bhat, an IITian, the vehicle can cover a distance of up to 1.5 km from the point where the controlling system has been set up. It can capture images from nearly 200 metres from ground level. Real time transmission of images and videos to the control point is also possible. The vehicle is compatible with thermal imaging cameras for night-time use.

“The Netra can give live videos of the area it is surveying. It can also hover at one place; other vehicles keep travelling while surveying an area,” said Amardeep Singh, another IITian. Singh said that vehicle tests during heavy rains are yet to be conducted. Efforts are also being taken to convert it into a backpack system, making it easier to carry for soldiers.

Netra UAV to be inducted soon idrw.org

 

[jha]

I am getting sick of DRDO daily pouring in new UAV with a slight advantage over the other...When the hell will they make a MALE or, a UCAV...?