Like to be part of India’s UCAV Program: Navy Chief

[$@rJen]

Like to be part of India’s UCAV Program: Navy Chief
PublishedDecember 20, 2015

SOURCE: IDRW NEWS NETWORK (INN)

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Robin K. Dhowan while speaking to media said that Navy will like to be part of countries ambitious project to develop its own stealth combat drones or UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles) which can carry internal weapons for Strike missions.

Defence Ministry recently cleared Rs 2650 crore project to develop futuristic Stealth UCAV with an 8-year deadline in the country for which a new “52-kN dry variant aerospace engine will be developed from the technology used in indigenously developed Kaveri engine which failed to become power plant for the Tejas light combat aircraft.

Navy Chief hinted that Navy is very much interested in the development of Maritime UCAV based on ” Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle” project but also failed to provide more information on how Navy like to be part of the project.

Defence Analyst Ranesh Rajan added that it will be easy to develop Maritime variant of UCAV which will only involve a change of sensors and payloads, but the development of UCAV which can operate from an aircraft carrier will be a task much more difficult since no Country has yet operationalised aircraft carrier compatible UCAVS.

US Naval under Unmanned Combat Air System Aircraft Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) programme developed X-47B Stealth unmanned aircraft o be used from aircraft carrier but the project has been mired in controversy after it repeatedly failed to demonstrate aircraft carrier landing at high seas which have lead to US Navy planning to start a follow-on project to move forward current technological breakthroughs made .

 

[gslv mk3]

A Bit too ambitious ?

 

[$@rJen]

A Bit too ambitious ?

IN is always so Ambitious.. its very good. they're looking towards a bright future. following USN is a best way for IN

 

[aanshu001]

it's music to ear as Navy had gr8 respect for home grown tec and their utilization rate is much higher than IA/IAF. if navy involve in the program they will plan the path and stick to it unlike IA/IAF demanding & changing mid-course

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

8 year deadline is achievable considering we already have an engine. Its the design and electronics we need to worry about.

 

[silent poison]

Indian Navy well they know what good for them and where to invest . I will like a UCAV squadron flying from Indian naval Aircraft carrier . Future looks good .

 

[$@rJen]

why dont you import them like all the other stuff you import ...........

@waz please remove the troll from here

 

[Echo_419]

A Bit too ambitious ?

It's like my formula for exams,if you target 100% you are sure to get at least 90%.From what i can tell you this really works.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

why dont you import them like all the other stuff you import ...........

Pls dont mind sir, but IN wants homegrown program participation. and for your post with sarcasm and poking + good trolling attempt, i am posting below a non offensive but tactical response

 

[$@rJen]

It's like my formula for exams,if you target 100% you are sure to get at least 90%.From what i can tell you this really works.

but in our case they should follow my formula. If you target for 140%, i'm sure to get at least 45%, it really worked for me

 

[PARIKRAMA]

A Bit too ambitious ?

POssibly Yes, but then imported platforms for UCAV is not the answer in the long run. With Kaveri derived Ghatak now available, its upto a good design and execution capability which can change the course of our UCAV program. IN betting on it is a good sign, but i hope they place their ppl on board this project to see it to its fruitfull conclusion

it's music to ear as Navy had gr8 respect for home grown tec and their utilization rate is much higher than IA/IAF. if navy involve in the program they will plan the path and stick to it unlike IA/IAF demanding & changing mid-course

Yes sir, IN participation brings not only credibility but also confidence that they will see that this program is successful. I hope IN folks are deeply involved and we can see results sooner than the intended timeframe.

but in our case they should follow my formula. If you target for 140%, i'm sure to get at least 45%, it really worked for me

IN does not like pass class , they want first class....
I feel pity for the project folks whom IN ppl will squeeze to get results..

 

[silent poison]

why dont you import them like all the other stuff you import ...........

Its Indian navy thread most of Pakistanis dont troll here .. But u r a rare case . If Made in India has some value in military area then it should start with navy .

 

[gslv mk3]

With Kaveri derived Ghatak now available

Links bro ?

 

[GR!FF!N]

Right now,we don't need an UCAV which can be operated from Aircraft Carrier.First UCAVs can be operated from shore based airbases.An UCAV which can operate around 20-30 hours and perform auto refueling is our first target.then we should target something that can be operated from Carrier.Make it too ambitious and it'll be hard to achieve.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Links bro ?

My own friend is in the Kaveri project. Initially about 2 years back, he was out of work as funds and results both kind of dried up. There was a massive disappointment that public perception of the Kaveri Engine was largely misguided with Kaveri being compared to well established engines whose manufacturers had much larger budgets and experience as compared to more of first attempt project. In his own words of admission, the seniors in the project were heart broken that media had painted a very unfair picture of them.
He was shifted from the Kaveri project about 15 months back along with a core team of about 30 main people from the original project, to initiate an engine based on Kaveri but without after burner stage, to have weight reduction and a superior exhaust redesign to lower the temperature and thermal signature. This is cited as a primary requirement for Stealth type bird...A seperate part of the project is to see how best the SFC can be increased for accommodating longer endurance.
The afterburner separation part is completed. But now the engine with absolute dry thrust and weight lowering cycle is under process. Its expected to be tested in a bench past the new year. There will be multiple tests carried out to certify the whole engine post which the actual replication and testing will be done in a live environment. The engine more or less will complete the certification in 18 months with a outer periphery of 24 months as per internal timelines. The AURA project and another black one for a Long endurance High altitude type is the real issue as designing that UCAV is not fully frozen. According to him, a semi part of this project is a new exhaust vents system which will be used to reduce the thermal signature further. The greenlight to this project is not as per whats declared in media. Stand assured, Ghatak is much more ahead of whats reported in media.