Military UAVs/Drones of Indian Armed Forces

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle plays an important role in gathering the intelligence and Surveillance. Let us know the Military UAV/Drones of Indian Armed Forces.

1. Searcher UAV

Searcher UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is developed by IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries). The Upgraded version i.e. Searcher Mark II is operated by Indian Armed Forces. The Regiment of Artillery operates this UAV under Surveillance Unit.

Specifications 

Weight : 500 Kg
Payload : 70 Kg
Speed : 200 Kmph
Endurance : 18 hours of flying
Service Ceiling : 6000 m

2. Heron UAV

Heron UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is developed by IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries). It is the Long Endurance UAV operated by Indian Air Force. Heron UAV is used for Intelligence, Surveillance, Recce Missions, Search and Rescue Operations.

Specifications

Takeoff Weight : 1150 Kg
Payload : 250 Kg
Speed : 200 Kmph
Endurance : 50 hours of Flying
Service Ceiling : 10000 m

3. Netra Quadcopter

The Netra Quadcopter is small and light weight UAV. It is developed by DRDO and Ideaforge. It is used for Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions. It is integrated with High Resolution CCD Thermal Camera.

Specifications

Weight – 1.5 Kg (Empty)
Speed : 30 Kmph
Range : 2.5 Km
Endurance : 30 minutes
Service Ceiling : 300 m

4. DRDO Lakshya

The DRDO Lakshya is remotely piloted Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. It is developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO. This UAV is tasked for Surveillance and Reconnaissance. The Lakhsya is also used as target for live fire training for Active and Developmental Missile.

Specifications

Takeoff Weight: 700 Kg
Speed: 850 Kmph (0.7 Mach)
Range: 150 Km
Service Ceiling: 9000 m

5. Harpy Loitering Munition

The Harpy is a Loitering Munition developed by IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries). These type of drones attack the enemy target area for some time with heavy warhead to suppress the Enemy Air Defence. These drones are also called as Suicide Drones.

Specifications

Speed: 180 Kmph
Range: 500 Km
Endurance: 2 hours

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Drones Under Development

1. DRDO Nishant

The DRDO Nishant UAV is under development for serval years. It is developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO. This UAV is being developed for Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Intelligence gathering, Artillery Fire correction and training.

2. DRDO Ghatak/AURA

DRDO Ghatak is an Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft. It is being developed by DRDO and IIT, Kanpur. It is Armed Combat Aircraft. The Ghatak UAV will be equipped with Missiles and Munitions.

3. DRDO Rustom / Rustom 2

DRDO Rustom is a medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The UAV is being developed for surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations. The DRDO recently conducted the test of advanced Variant  of Rustom 2 UAV from Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradugra. The Rustom 2 UAV is also Known as Tapas-BH-201. The range of Rustom 2 is 1000 Km with a Service Ceiling of 10,000 m.

4. DRDO Ulka

DRDO Ulka is being developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO. It is tasked to act as Aircraft with approaching and Receding Characteristics. It will be used for defensive training of Missile Crews.

Also Read : Military Satellites Of India – All You Need To Know

BOOKS BY DDE FOR DEFENCE ASPIRANTS

 

HIGHEST SUCCESS RATE 

Start your SSB preparations with these specially curated ebooks.

Stage 1 SSB – SSB Oir ebook

SSB Psychology Test – Click Here

SSB Group Tasks  – Click Here

Thematic Apperception Test – Click Here

Situation Reaction Test – Click Here