Indian drone development, procurement , news and updates .

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...et-to-make-their-bow-soon/article19884044.ece


Soft launch in January, says innovation society CEO
After starting its office at the Sunrise Incubation Hub here recently for its ambitious unit, the AP Innovation Society is planning to roll out the first drone manufactured in the State from New Year.

An investment of ₹1 crore would be made in the project during the first year of operation. The centre will produce drones costing ₹1 lakh depending on its configuration like lens, accessories and range of its operation.

Ms. Valli Kumari said they would manufacture 25 drones per month from March once the facility turned fully operational. “The drones produced here under the Make in Andhra Pradesh programme will cost less than the private manufacturers. We can make a normal drone for ₹1 lakh which costs ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh if sourced from a private manufacturer,” she said. As part of its resolve to promote innovation culture among youngsters, they would also have a R&D lab and reverse engineering lab. The prototypes would be put to commercial use through research by startups and innovators at the facility started at the Sunrise Incubation Hub.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/640791/drone-testing-facilities-two-locations.html

Shemin Joy, DH News Service, New Delhi, Nov 3 2017, 14:00 IST

The aeronautical test range in Chitradurga, Ganimangala village and Coorg's Choudigudi Estate in Karnataka are likely to form part of 23 sites identified by the civil aviation regulator for testing efficacy of Unmanned Aerial Systems or drones in the country.

The locations were identified in a draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) publicised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

"To encourage new technology, Indian organisations involved in research and development related activity of RPAS, having obtained industrial license from DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion), shall use the test sites for testing/demonstration purpose," the draft said.

Besides the three sites in Karnataka, there are eight more locations in south India where one can do the testing. There are four such locations in Tamil Nadu (Vellore, Salem, Erode and Coimbatore), two in Kerala (Munnar and Idukki) and one in Telangana (Mulugu village in Hyderabad).

Other sites include Surendranagar in Gujarat as well as Aurangabad, Amravati, Ahmednagar, Satara and Shirpur airport.


The draft also said that people and companies will have to take special clearance for delivering goods using drones, according to new draft.

Drones should not "discharge or drop substances unless specially cleared and mentioned in UAOP (Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit)". It also disallows drones being used for transporting any any hazardous material such as explosives or animal or human payload.

The newly publicised draft also puts the onus on operators of drones in ensuring privacy of individuals while giving Indian Air Force (IAF) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) powers to monitor drone movements in entire country. The drone pilot will also be "liable to ensure that privacy norms of individuals are not compromised in any manner".

Model aircraft up to 2kg without any payload and flown below 200 feet inside educational institution premises will not require unique identity number or UAOP. "Aeromodellers/recreational flyers under this category shall be fully responsible for its operation, safety and security. They shall inform the local police authorities before undertaking such activities even for indoor operation," it said.

"UAS operations present problems to the regulator in terms of ensuring safety of other users of airspace and persons on the ground. However, in view of technological advancements in UAS over the years and their increased civil applications, it has become necessary to develop regulations for operations of this activity," the DGCA said explaining the reason for bringing out the regulation.

 

[Hindustani78]

Aviation's Future –Unmanned Aircraft

 

[Hindustani78]

NEW DELHI, November 16, 2017 22:54 IST
Updated: November 16, 2017 22:54 IST

For aerial surveillance: A file picture of a UAV developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-range-uavs/article20492986.ece?homepage=true

To be developed, manufactured in India by private industry
The Army has issued the Request for Information (RFI) for 60 short range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to be developed and manufactured in India by the private industry based on proven technology.

“The government of India invites responses to this request only from Indian vendors. The vendors are to include their capability to indigenously design, develop and absorb the technology sought and provide life time support,” the RFI stated.

Aerial surveillance

As per the specifications given, the UAV would be used for aerial surveillance over a large area by day and night for a sustained period and should have an altitude ceiling of 20,000 feet and a range of 200 km with a minimum endurance of 10 hours. It needs to have a service life of 20 years.

The last date for response is two months from the date of issue of the Request for Proposal to the selected vendors. The requirement is for 60 systems along with associated payloads and ground support equipment to be delivered within 24 months from the day of signing the contract.

The Army is in the process of inducting a range of tactical UAVs to augment the surveillance capabilities of its ground forces.

 

[Hindustani78]

The drone crashed in a farmland at Doreyagalhalli village in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district on Wednesday.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ashes-in-challakere-taluk/article22819082.ece

An unmanned aerial vehicle, which was being tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, crashed at Doreyagalhalli village in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district on Wednesday morning.

According to sources, the drone, which was being tested by DRDO’s Aeronautical Test Range in Kudapur village nearby, came down near a farmland around 9 a.m. An official said it was a small practice drone that went out of control and landed outside the perimeter of the ATR.

While DRDO maintained that no damage was done, Environment Support Group, which had filed petitions against the sprawling 10,000-acre Science City on Amruth Mahal Kaval grasslands, said: “The incident brings to light the high risk latent to the project that is being implemented with little or no regard for applicable norms and standards, and the law, in this ecologically fragile and densely populated region.”

ESG believes with the premises playing host to sensitive nuclear enrichment centre run by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, drone crashes pose a grave threat to the area.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
25-February, 2018 14:48 IST
DRDO Successfully Test Flight Rustom 2

DRDO successfully flew its Rustom 2 today at its Aeronautical Test Range(ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga. This flight assumes significance due to the fact that this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine. All parameters were normal. Secretary Deptt. of Defence (R&D) & Chairman DRDODr. S. Christopher, Director General of Aeronautical System Dr. CP Ramanarayanan, DG Electronics & Communication SystemsMs. J Manjula along with senior scientists witnessed the flight and congratulated Rustom team.

Rustom-2 is being developed on the lines of predator drones of the US to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance roles for the armed forces. Photo: @SpokespersonMoD/Twitter

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...out-test-flight-of-rustom-2-drone/549497.html

New Delhi, February 25

India's premier defence research institute DRDO on Sunday carried out "successful" test flight of its Rustom-2 drone, a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), at Chalakere in Karnataka's Chitradurga district.

Rustom-2 is being developed on the lines of predator drones of the US to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours, officials said.

"DRDO successfully flew its Rustom 2 today at its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga. This flight assumes significance due to the fact that this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine," a statement read.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said the test flight was "successful" and all its parameters were "normal".

Rustom-2 is capable of carrying different combinations of payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness payloads, officials said.

DRDO chairman S Christopher, its Director General of Aeronautical System CP Ramanarayanan, DG Electronics and Communication Systems J Manjula and other senior scientists witnessed the test flight.

The around Rs 1,500-crore UAV project was initiated considering requirement of the the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The UAV has been designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO, and aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Ltd are its production partners. — PTI

 

[MimophantSlayer]

 

[MimophantSlayer]

 

[aman_rai]

Is tapas and Rustam 2 same?

 

[MimophantSlayer]

TAPAS-BH-201 Carries out maiden flight with indigenous landing gears

An indigenously designed and developed landing gear for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-Rustom II has been successfully tested today, a Defence statement said. The landing gear developed by a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory here has undergone low-speed and high-speed taxi trial in Chitradurga, Karnataka, it said.

The maiden flight of Rustom II with the indigenously developed gear was successfully carried out. “The Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), the main laboratory of DRDO, has designed and developed the gear,” the statement said.

Rustom II is a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV designed for carrying out surveillance for the armed forces. The CVRDE is involved in the development of armoured fighter vehicles and tanks among others.

TAPAS 201, a multi-mission UAV is being developed to carry out the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the three Armed Forces with an endurance of 24 hours. It is capable to carry different combinations of payloads like Medium Range Electro Optic (MREO), Long Range Electro Optic (LREO), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and Situational Awareness Payloads (SAP) to perform missions during day and night.

Also Indigenous 180 hp Diesel turboprop engine is suitable for small aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and will replace imported Saturn 36T turboprop engines procured from Russia to power Rustom-2 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

According to Industrial sources, Indigenous 180 hp Diesel turboprop engine main advantage is low weight, better fuel efficiency and is specifically designed for the category of ultra-light manned and unmanned aerial vehicles like MALE Class drones.

https://defenceupdate.in/tapas-bh-201-carries-out-maiden-flight-with-indigenous-landing-gears/

 

[Robinhood Pandey]

Few noticeable additions:

Optics pod in the front. few sensors at the back.

This is the first time i have seen it flying with all that.

@Water Car Engineer @CyclopS

 

[MimophantSlayer]

Few noticeable additions:

View attachment 495447

Optics pod in the front. few sensors at the back.

This is the first time i have seen it flying with all that.

Probably this.
LREO.

 

[lemurian]

https://telanganatoday.com/adani-group-opens-aerospace-park-in-hyderabad

Adani Group opens Aerospace Park in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Adani Group has opened its aerospace park near Shamshabad creating an aerospace and defence ecosystem for manufacturing and also enabling small and medium enterprises to operate from here. The company has invested $15 million (over Rs 105 crore) in the park that has come up on 20 acres.

The park also hosts Adani Defence and Aerospace and Elbit Systems’ joint venture manufacturing facility that will make unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The 50,000-sft facility is the first unit for Elbit outside Israel that will manufacture Hermes 900 Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV. The plant will first make carbon composite aero-structures for Hermes 900, followed by Hermes 450, catering to global markets. It will further ramp up assembly and integration of complete UAVs next year.


Telangana Home Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali formally inaugurated the facilities in the presence of Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary — IT and Industries, S K Joshi, Chief Secretary, Pranav Adani, director, Adani Enterprise, Karan Adani, CEO, Adani Ports and SEZ and Bezhalel Machlis, president and CEO of Elbit Systems.

Pranav Adani, said, “We have chosen Hyderabad for Telangana’s industry-friendly policies and ease of doing business. Last year, we met with Telangana Industries Minister KT Rama Rao at the World Economic Forum in Davos where we discussed our plans to invest in aerospace. The aerospace park and the joint venture facility had been developed in a record nine months with the help of Telangana’s fast track approvals. We got all clearances from the State government in an aggressive timeline.”

Unmanned aerial vehicles
Bezhalel Machilis, president and CEO, Elbit Systems, said, “This facility where the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 — the most advanced UAV systems in the world — will be manufactured is in line with the Indian government’s strategic plan and enables us to share our extensive experience in defence systems and benefit from the dedicated Indian workforce.”

Ashish Rajvanshi, head-Defence & Aerospace, Adani, told Telangana Today, “We will also be developing a carbon fibre R&D facility in the aerospace park next year that will provide us the advanced raw material needed for the UAVs.”

He added, “Adani aims to make India self-reliant in defence and aerospace systems and not depend on the US, Europe, Russia or any other nation. The first UAV could be rolled out next year. We anticipate to make four UAVs to start with, next year, and will take this to 18 by 2020. We have already received a three-year supply order for UAVs.”

Other opportunities
Adani, which has tied up with Rave Gears, is also in the process of creating a separate facility in the aerospace park that will make helicopter transmission gears.
Companies such as Comprotech, AutoTEC, Alpha Tool and Alpha Design Technologies, which supply to HAL, BDL, BEL and global OEMs, will operate from the aerospace park.
Adani plans to set up a training centre in the park that will look at skill development catering to the companies in the park.

The Telangana Home Minister said the State had succeeded in attracting companies from all sectors because of its investor-friendly approach. The Chief Secretary too said Telangana would welcome more Israeli companies to invest across verticals.

 

[Zapper]

DRDO anti-drone system to be deployed for Trump-Modi roadshow

An anti-drone system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will be part of the foolproof security arrangements being made for the roadshow of US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on February 24, said officials. Along with the local police, teams of the Rapid Action Force, the State Reserve Police Force, Chetak Commando and the Anti-Terrorist Squad would be deployed on strategic locations, said special commissioner of police, crime branch, Ajay Tomar.

They will work closely with national agencies like the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Special Protection Group (SPG), he said.

Trump and Modi will take part in a 22km-long roadshow in Ahmedabad and jointly address a gathering at the newly- built cricket stadium in Motera area of the city.


Over 1,10,000 people are expected to attend the mega event christened "Namaste Trump".

"We will be utilising an anti-drone system developed by DRDO to secure the roadshow route. Apart from police personnel on the ground, we will also deploy our men on the terraces of roadside houses.

"Some of the streets on the roadshow route and near Motera will remain closed for traffic on February 24," said Tomar at a press conference.


The DRDO system is equipped to instantaneously detect and identify drone threats and terminate them. A drone or an unmanned aerial vehicle refer to an unpiloted aircraft or spacecraft.

Earlier, the police had said more than 10,000 police personnel, to be led by 25 senior IPS officers, will be deployed for the roadshow security.

While a majority of the residents near the stadium have been asked not to use the road unless it is absolutely necessary, Tomar said people will be allowed to move in and out of housing colonies in case of an emergency situation.

He said students appearing for exams can use the roads closed for traffic on Monday by showing their hall tickets.

Tomar said it is not yet known whether Modi and Trump will travel in the same car or separate vehicles during the roadshow.

The IPS officer said it is most likely the dignitaries will not use an open vehicle during the show.

As per the route plan, Trump and Modi will first reach the Sabarmati Ashram, a place closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, from the international airport.

From the Sabarmati Ashram, both the leaders would take the SP Ring Road via the Indira Bridge near the airport to reach the cricket stadium in Motera.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...-trump-modi-roadshow/articleshow/74229708.cms

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

Rustom Rises

Rustom-II (Tapas), the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Aeronautical Development Establishment flew in the Satellite Communication (SATCOM) mode for the first time.

Sources at DRDO headquarters confirm that the UAV also flew with the long range electro optical payload. They claim that these two capabilities are not available on the Heron and Searcher UAVs being operated by the tri-Services now.


The future of this UAV programme is still unclear, with the Services yet to give any firm commitment. Sources say the Tapas team is determined to prove several new capabilities during the next set of trials.

https://www.onmanorama.com/news/col...e-minister-rajnath-plane-talk-rafale.amp.html
Total 6 Airframes undergoing tests with the latest ones having the 180BHP engines.