India is all set to develop project to develop its own stealth combat drones or UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles), to enhance country's capability to launch air strikes beyond its territory that will have the ability to fire targets and head back base for refuelling.
The Modi government is close to approve a Rs 2,650 crore Project Ghatak to develop UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles) which will see ADA-DRDO (Aeronautical Development Agency - Defence Research and Development Organisation) working together develop the weapon, according to a report in The Times of India.
The report said that the UCAVs will be powered by a variant of the indigenously-developed Kaveri aerospace engine.
Along with UCAVs, the Modi government is keen on upgrading the existing Indian fleet of Israeli Heron and Searcher-II UAVs for the vehicles to be able to exceed their current surveillance and precision-targeting roles during wars.
As per sources, the UCAV will weigh less than a fighter and will be powered by a 52-kilo-newton indigenous Kaveri derivative engine (dry variant).
The only concern for the country to develop the UCAV will be the performance of the Kaveri engine. Kaveri engine had met with limited success when latched on to the Made in India Tejas light combat aircraft.
Reports say that thrust provided by the Kaveri engine was not enough to power Tejas throughout its flight envelope but it is now expected that the Kaveri derivative engine ("dry" engine), without after burner, will provided enough juice to power UCAVs.
However, the R&D will have ample time to smooth the engines as it may be at least a decade before the UCAV takes to the skies.
BW Reporters
The author is Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld
