At a Glance
Stealth UCAV
Capable of releasing missiles, bombs and PGM at enemy targets
Internal Weapons Bay
Turbofan Engine
Ceiling: 30,000-ft
Weight: 15 ton
Project Status
The existence of the AURA program was first reported in June 2010.
The program was first officially acknowledged in April 2011 by DRDO's chief controller R&D (aeronautics) Dr Prahlada.
"With Rs 50 crore as seed money, a full-fledged project team with 15-18 scientists has already begun work on the UCAV's preliminary design and technology. With on-board mission computers, data links, fire control radars, identification of friend or foe, and traffic collision avoidance systems, they will be highly intelligent drones," Prahlada told TOI.
"Capable of flying at altitudes of 30,000 feet and weighing less than 15 tonnes, the UCAVs will have rail-launching for the missiles, bombs and PGMs (precision-guided munitions) they will carry," he added.
The UCAV is currently referred to as IUSAP FOR Indian Unmanned Strike Aircraft Program.
AURA will be developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) at Bangalore in collaboration with Defence Avionics Research Establishment (Bangalore), Defence Electronics Application Lab (Dehradun) and Gas Turbine Research Establishment (Bangalore).
DRDO is confident of developing the UCAVs mainly on its own, with "some foreign consultancy or collaboration" in fields like stealth as well as autonomous short-run take-off and landing, according to Dr. Prahlada
Powerplant
In August 2011 a DRDO official told the press that the UCAV maybe powered by the indigenous 75kN thrust Kaveri engine.
Kaveri has two version, one if which, Kaveri K-10 with 90kN thrust, is proposed to be developed with SNECAM
AURA UCAV - Indian Defense Projects Sentinel