Ghatak and Rustom Indigenous UAV Programs

Some of the critical electronics developed under the Tapas/Rustom-2 program:

Microwave Power Module (MPM) to power all the electronics (data link, SATNAV, radars, EO pod etc.) & a S-band coupled-cavity traveling wave tube (CCTWT) to amplify the power for surface scanning SARs:
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Ku-band Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) to power the SATCOM datalink between the drone & the ground operator:
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Ku-band SATCOM antenna with a 2-axis precision gimbal:
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GPS/Navic guidance & navigation equipment:
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India’s MALE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Projects Take Wing

By Sriram Thiagarajan - February 26, 2025
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Overcoming a period of developmental challenges, India’s medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs have entered a year that will mark quite a few significant milestones. India’s leading large drone development laboratory- the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a part of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), is now progressing key projects at a hitherto unseen pace. Not only is the Archer NG, a MALE UAV designed to meet performance benchmarks that the legacy TAPAS BH-2021 failed to meet, set for its first flight, the TAPAS itself is being reengined with a domestic power plant that will lead to better availability rates via supply chain security.

In early 2022, ADE had launched a new UAV program, initially called the Single Engine Twin Boom (SETB) project which was designed to meet the Indian Armed Forces requirement for a MALE UAV that would have an endurance greater close to 24 hours and the ability to credibly fly at an altitude of 30,000 feet with a significant payload. These were of course performance benchmarks that the TAPAS BH-201 failed to meet. By 2023, the SETB, which has a new airframe and lighter aerostructures had been rechristened the Archer-NG and seemed all set to take to the skies.

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Image Source: Publicly Distributed Flyer at Aero India 2023

However, owing to unforeseen programme challenges that did not materialize. Circa early 2025, ADE has left these challenges behind and at the time of writing in February 2025, the lab had already built two Archer-NG prototype vehicles. The prototypes have completed their engine ground run test, low and high-speed taxi trials. These are significant milestones in a development program prior to the first flight of any aircraft. The first flight of the Archer-NG is expected to be conducted before the end of financial year 2024-25 (FY 25). This flight would mark a significant development since the Archer-NG is ADE’s second iteration in MALE UAV design and is expected to reflect significant progress towards achieving desired goals in airframe weight and aerodynamic performance as compared to the earlier effort in the form of the TAPAS program.

Be that as it may, the TAPAS programme itself is seeing some iterative changes of its own. Two units of an indigenously developed 2.2L, 4-cylinder Inline Turbocharged CRDi engines have been installed on some Tapas prototypes and ground testing has been completed, after significant standalone testing. This new indigenous engine, developed by VRDE in partnership with JAYEM Automotives Ltd, provides a max power of 180 HP at an altitude of 11,000 feet and is rated to operate up to an altitude of 32,000 feet. It has a FADEC system which of course provides fully automatic control without requiring pilot control over engine operations alongside dual redundancy. The flight testing of this engine is expected to be wrapped up by the middle of 2025. Subsequently, units of this new engine built by JAYEM will replace the stand-in engines currently imported for the Archer-NG prototypes.

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Image Source: Publicly Distributed Material at Aero India 2025

Incidentally, Prior to project completion in late 2024, ADE had worked on improving the performance of the Tapas UAV and the new indigenous engine will help consolidate those improvements.

India’s MALE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Projects Take Wing | Delhi Defence Review
 
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Has the Ghatak project received CCS sanction?

I'm seeing reports of tenders issued under the head of UAV without specifying which one for items which'd find usage only in the Ghatak & not any other platform viz MALE / HALE UAV / Drone !

@marich01 & anybody else who'd know something about the matter not in the public domain
 
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g
_Anonymous_ said:
Has the Ghatak project received CCS sanction?

I'm seeing reports of tenders issued under the head of UAV without specifying which one for items which'd find usage only in the Ghatak & not any other platform viz MALE / HALE UAV / Drone !

@marich01 & anybody else who'd know something about the matter not in the public domain
Click to expand...
ghatak's file is still in the cupboard of favourite lab rn, hope it reaches ccs by 2026

but some people are saying that being a "very secretive" project, prototype is almost ready but kaveri is awaited to get certified
 
_Anonymous_ said:
Has the Ghatak project received CCS sanction?

I'm seeing reports of tenders issued under the head of UAV without specifying which one for items which'd find usage only in the Ghatak & not any other platform viz MALE / HALE UAV / Drone !

@marich01 & anybody else who'd know something about the matter not in the public domain
Click to expand...
Not seen much anywhere. Possibly HAL/HVT will suddenly reveal the proto one day. Its still somewhat subscale TD.
 
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Concept:- tactical heavy unmanned flying wing powered by two dry kaveri engine, differents varients configured for different roles based on one common platform.

Varients:- first, ISR varients.

1,ISTAR.
2, maritime surveillance.
3, SIGNIT &comjam/EW.
All will be highly survivability in contested enviornment compared to current non stealth systems.



Second, Strike varient/ tactical unmanned bomber drone/standoff munitions platform.

Can be operated by both IAF and IN.

Specs for strike varient:- design is made to prioritise lift and endurance, hence more wider length to width ratio then ucavs like S-70 Okhotnik-B, ghatak under development etc, also would allow it to have lot higher range, payload than like of s70 while only have 25% more max thrust, but at the cost of high speed performance.



Length:- 15-17 meters.
Wingspan:- 25+ meters.
Height:- 4+ meters.
Mtow:- 25+ tons.
Fuel capacity:- ~10tons.
Power plant:- 2 dry kaveri( ~100kn total max dry thrust).
Combat radius :- 2000+km.
Ferry range:- 4000+km.
Cruise speed- 0.6-0.7 mach.
Max Altitude:- 50k+ feet.
Endurance:-6 to 8 hours.

Now for payload, it should be able to carry 4tons of payload( internal weapons bay) with it's size, design and powerplant.
But I envision it's iwb to be on relatively larger size realtive to its size, to carry longer( not necessarly heavier) stand off munitions like rudram series missiles, cruise missiles, anti ship missiles, smaller quasi ballistic missiles, large awacs killer missiles etc.

Drone, having two iwb in side by side configuration, each iwb ~7 meters in length, 3 meters width, 1meter depth.
This will be tricky, but still possible to design and accommodate this iwb.

Along with that, it can also share data and act as sensor extenders for fighter jets, like like loyal wingman,

By now we have all the tech base needed to start developing this drone, except the engine, which is under final stages of certification to be used on ghatak drone.

With the capabilities and needs and gaps it will fulfill, it will future proof the iaf to a very high extent.


And my fantasy ends here.

But honestly it's a low hanging fruit, which if gov. Is willing to invest significant amount of money into it is technologically highly feasible to start developing given how much we progressed and will greatly enhance our capabilities when it enters service (~2032-35 if development to start today).
We won't even need to develop extra new technologies, the ones we are developing for ghatak and amca can be scaled to suit this Maha ghatak.

Both china and US are also developing large /huge(for a drone) flying wing ucavs for ISR purposes.
 
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1945450373285650788


- Lead in Project FUFA taken for RPSA Configuration finalized for RPSA

- Detailed Design Review of airframe is held and manufacturing activities are in progress

- KD Engine integration and testing with all SPS systems completed

- Realized quad-channel tester inclusive of HW and SW, & certified

- Completion of preliminary CLAW studies including mission studies

- Aero data generation by wind tunnel testing and CTD completed; Critical Design Review held

- PSSA and maintainability report completed

- Integrated Flight Control Computer, landing gear, and structural test rig are in advanced stages of development

- RPSA PDR and 16 subsystem PDRs - completed

- Costing for deliverables and baseline - under review

- Feasibility, risk analysis, and time estimation - completed

- CCS proposal and AON concurrence from IAF - under approval

- PSQR compliance, EOL, and RFP for DePP identification - under approval
 
Last edited:
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ShiroBarks said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1945450373285650788


- Lead in Project FUFA taken for RPSA Configuration finalized for RPSA

- Detailed Design Review of airframe is held and manufacturing activities are in progress

- KD Engine integration and testing with all SPS systems completed

- Realized quad-channel tester inclusive of HW and SW, & certified

- Completion of preliminary CLAW studies including mission studies

- Aero data generation by wind tunnel testing and CTD completed; Critical Design Review held

- PSSA and maintainability report completed

- Integrated Flight Control Computer, landing gear, and structural test rig are in advanced stages of development

- RPSA PDR and 16 subsystem PDRs - completed

- Costing for deliverables and baseline - under review

- Feasibility, risk analysis, and time estimation - completed

- CCS proposal and AON concurrence from IAF - under approval

- PSQR compliance, EOL, and RFP for DePP identification - under approval
Click to expand...
L&T as DcPP partner is huge 🥂

FalconSlayers said:
Our HALE UCAV will be MQ-9B class, similar engine as well (Made already by HAL)
https://twitter.com/x/status/1945454572853506387
Click to expand...
I wonder who is leading this. This could be the HALE proposal presented by HAL during Aero India.
 
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ShiroBarks said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1945450373285650788


- Lead in Project FUFA taken for RPSA Configuration finalized for RPSA

- Detailed Design Review of airframe is held and manufacturing activities are in progress

- KD Engine integration and testing with all SPS systems completed

- Realized quad-channel tester inclusive of HW and SW, & certified

- Completion of preliminary CLAW studies including mission studies

- Aero data generation by wind tunnel testing and CTD completed; Critical Design Review held

- PSSA and maintainability report completed

- Integrated Flight Control Computer, landing gear, and structural test rig are in advanced stages of development

- RPSA PDR and 16 subsystem PDRs - completed

- Costing for deliverables and baseline - under review

- Feasibility, risk analysis, and time estimation - completed

- CCS proposal and AON concurrence from IAF - under approval

- PSQR compliance, EOL, and RFP for DePP identification - under approval
Click to expand...
So FUFA is separate project? It is being referred as unmanned fighter aircraft.
 
FalconSlayers said:
Our HALE UCAV will be MQ-9B class, similar engine as well (Made already by HAL)
https://twitter.com/x/status/1945454572853506387
Click to expand...
It looks like MQ-9 specs and weapons are spelled out. probably going to make a license mfg or consultation on same tot basis ? as far as we know, there is no way ADE got expertise to pull this off.
esp the weapons pack and asw tech, not sure if available with drdo yet.

1752681147740.png
 
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marich01 said:
It looks like MQ-9 specs and weapons are spelled out. probably going to make a license mfg or consultation on same tot basis ? as far as we know, there is no way ADE got expertise to pull this off.
esp the weapons pack and asw tech, not sure if available with drdo yet.

View attachment 45263
Click to expand...
GA = General Atomics ? Consultation part of MQ-9B deal?
 
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