DRDO Ghatak

The Ghatak is an autonomous jet powered stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE). It was initially called the Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA),{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/government-set-to-clear-rs-3000-crore-plan-to-develop-engine-for-indias-first-ucav/articleshow/49775096.cms|title=Government set to clear Rs 3,000 crore plan to develop engine for India's first UCAV|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=2018-07-15|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-10-28|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028085539/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/government-set-to-clear-rs-3000-crore-plan-to-develop-engine-for-indias-first-ucav/articleshow/49775096.cms|url-status=live}} but was eventually renamed as Ghatak UCAV.{{Cite web |last=Aroor |first=Shiv |author-link=Shiv Aroor |title=EXCLUSIVE: Inside The World Of India's Most Secret Combat Aircraft Program |url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/2018/02/exclusive-inside-the-world-of-indias-most-secret-combat-aircraft.html |access-date=2019-10-28 |website=Livefist |date=2 February 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031101459/https://www.livefistdefence.com/2018/02/exclusive-inside-the-world-of-indias-most-secret-combat-aircraft.html |url-status=live }} In 2015, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed the Rajya Sabha that the Ghatak UCAV will be powered by a dry variant of the Kaveri afterburning turbofan engine,{{cite news |date=30 July 2015 |title=Indigenous Kaveri engine to power Unmanned Combat Aircraft |work=Business Standard |agency=PTI |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indigenous-kaveri-engine-to-power-unmanned-combat-aircraft-115073001331_1.html |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=29 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129043644/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indigenous-kaveri-engine-to-power-unmanned-combat-aircraft-115073001331_1.html |url-status=live }} which will have a thrust of 52 kilonewtons.

The flight control system and data link packages of the UCAV will be developed inhouse by ADA and Defence Electronics Application Laboratory.{{cite news|last1=Ghosh|first1=Anirvan|title=We never had a single failure in 1,500 flights of Tejas: ADE|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/sunday-et/people--places/we-never-had-a-single-failure-in-1500-flights-of-tejas-ade/articleshow/7294743.cms|access-date=28 January 2012|work=The Economic Times|date=17 January 2011|archive-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015181003/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/sunday-et/people--places/we-never-had-a-single-failure-in-1500-flights-of-tejas-ade/articleshow/7294743.cms|url-status=live}} The Ghatak UCAV will be developed with public – private sector participation.{{Cite news |last=Pubby |first=Manu |title=Government set to clear Rs 3,000 crore plan to develop engine for India's first UCAV |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/government-set-to-clear-rs-3000-crore-plan-to-develop-engine-for-indias-first-ucav/articleshow/49775096.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-07-03 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703093144/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/government-set-to-clear-rs-3000-crore-plan-to-develop-engine-for-indias-first-ucav/articleshow/49775096.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}

In 2011, in an interview given to The Economic Times, the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Chief Controller, R&D (aeronautics), Dr Prahlada said, "the UCAV will have on-board mission computers, data links, fire control radars, identification of friend or foe, and collision avoidance systems, they will be highly intelligent drones", he also added that "UCAV will be capable of flying at altitudes of {{convert|30,000|ft|m|0|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}} and weighing less than 15 tonnes, will have rail-launching for the missiles, bombs and PGMs (precision-guided munitions) they will carry."{{cite news|last1=Pandit|first1=Rajat|title=India quietly begins combat drone project|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/India-quietly-begins-combat-drone-project/articleshow/7941545.cms|work=The Economic Times|date=11 April 2011|access-date=29 December 2017|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112807/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/India-quietly-begins-combat-drone-project/articleshow/7941545.cms|url-status=live}}

Project Ghatak was initiated as a successor to the 2009 AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft) programme. The AURA was a pioneer programme sanctioned in 2009 with a budget of {{INRConvert|125|m|lk=r|year=2009}}, to carryout a feasibility study for the future Indian UCAV. The AURA programme was completed in April 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-set-to-develop-own-stealth-combat-drones/articleshow/50165296.cms|title=India set to develop own stealth combat drones|date=14 December 2015|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-10-28|archive-date=15 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115081422/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-set-to-develop-own-stealth-combat-drones/articleshow/50165296.cms|url-status=live}} The project Ghatak was initiated by ADA in consultation with the Indian Air Force (IAF), with an objective to develop a stealthy UCAV based on flying wing design. The flying wing configuration is inherently stealthy, can carry more fuel and payload than conventional UCAV designs, however it has more complex flight control surfaces and laws. Times Now news quoting DRDO scientists reports that this design ensures optimum fuel use and stability for the aircraft.{{Cite web |last=Hazra |first=Dipavali |date=2 July 2022 |title=DRDO takes major step towards developing unmanned combat aerial vehicles: Explained |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/exclusive/drdo-tests-autonomous-flying-wing-technology-demonstrator-know-what-this-means-article-92616307 |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=TimesNow |language=en |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703070105/https://www.timesnownews.com/exclusive/drdo-tests-autonomous-flying-wing-technology-demonstrator-know-what-this-means-article-92616307 |url-status=live }} The Ghatak UCAV is projected to weigh less than a fighter jet and is intended to be powered by a 'dry engine' derivative of GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri turbofan engine capable of producing a thrust of 52 kN. According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) document dated to 2017, an initial fund of {{INRConvert|2.31|b|year=2016}} had been allocated in 2016 for the design of Ghatak and development of critical advanced technologies for the Ghatak and AMCA.{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=158007|title=DRDO Projects|date=3 February 2017|website=Ministry of Defence|via=Press Information Bureau|access-date=2019-10-28|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028162124/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx%3Frelid%3D158007|url-status=live}} The Indian Navy is also interested in the project, and is keen on acquiring deck based UCAVs for future aircraft carriers and Landing Platform Docks (LPD).

The ADA and DRDO are prepared to start building a full-scale model of the Ghatak stealth UCAV after funds are allocated for the Ghatak program.{{Cite web |last=Dasgupta |first=Victor |date=10 November 2024 |title=Big boost to Aatmanirbharta, DRDO set to build full-scale Model of Ghatak Stealth UCAV as… |url=https://www.india.com/news/ghatak-ucav-ade-drdo-defence-research-and-development-organisation-pm-modi-indian-army-pakistan-aitcraft-tejas-mig-su-30mki-7382382/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=india.com |language=en}}

File:DRDO SWiFT.webm

Development of a scaled down technology demonstrator of Ghatak UCAV, called Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT), began in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Krishnan M |first=Anantha |date=10 January 2021 |title=ADE steps into new decade with planeloads of critical projects |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2021/01/09/ade-steps-into-new-decade-with-planeloads-of-critical-projects.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110041253/https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2021/01/09/ade-steps-into-new-decade-with-planeloads-of-critical-projects.html |archive-date=10 January 2021 |access-date=26 July 2021 |website=OnManorama}} The programme was sanctioned in 2016 with a funding of {{INRConvert|70|c|lk=r|year=2016}}.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=US-made Predator delayed, how India is developing own combat drone |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/us-made-predator-delayed-how-india-is-developing-own-combat-drone-2478415-2023-12-20?utm_source=washare&utm_medium=socialicons&utm_campaign=shareurltracking |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=India Today |language=en}} According to DRDO, the SWiFT UAV is intended to develop and demonstrate technologies for controlling the flying wing configuration and flight characteristics at high-subsonic speed.{{Cite web |date=29 October 2021 |title=DRDO's stealth attack UAV back in focus as footage of demonstrator emerges |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/10/29/drdo-stealth-attack-uav-back-in-focus-as-footage-of-demonstrator-emerges0.html |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=The Week |language=en |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703062427/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/10/29/drdo-stealth-attack-uav-back-in-focus-as-footage-of-demonstrator-emerges0.html |url-status=live }} A total of 2 prototypes have been developed. The first prototype features a flying-wing design while the second features a vertical stabilizer.{{Cite news |last1=Kadidal |first1=Akhil |last2=Parakala |first2=Akshara |date=4 July 2022 |title=DRDO successfully test flies flying-wing UCAV |url=https://www.janes.com/amp/drdo-successfully-test-flies-flying-wing-ucav/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124013901/https://www.janes.com/amp/drdo-successfully-test-flies-flying-wing-ucav/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 |archive-date=24 November 2022 |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=Janes}} The prototypes are also designated as the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator. The airframe, undercarriage and entire flight control and avionics systems used for the UAV were developed indigenously.

The SWiFT UAV has a length of 4 metres and a wingspan of 5 metres.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-23 |title=DRDO initiates the trials of advanced stealth SWiFT drone |url=https://newsonair.com/2021/06/23/drdo-initiates-the-trails-of-advanced-stealth-swift-drone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830085529/https://newsonair.com/2021/06/23/drdo-initiates-the-trails-of-advanced-stealth-swift-drone/ |archive-date=30 August 2021 |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=NewsOnAIR – |language=en-US}} The weight of Swift UAV is around 1 tonne, and it uses a NPO Saturn 36MT or TRDD-50MT turbofan engine.

Apart from being a precursor for technology development related to Ghatak project, SWiFT could also be developed as separate project under unmanned wingman bomber program.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-23 |title=DRDO initiates the trials of advanced stealth SWiFT drone |url=https://newsonair.com/2021/06/23/drdo-initiates-the-trails-of-advanced-stealth-swift-drone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830085529/https://newsonair.com/2021/06/23/drdo-initiates-the-trails-of-advanced-stealth-swift-drone/ |archive-date=30 August 2021 |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=NewsOnAIR – |language=en-US}}

The ground trials of SWiFT UAV began in June 2021, picture and videos of it carrying out taxi trials surfaced on 29 October 2021.

The second prototype (tailfin configuration) of the SWiFT UAV took its maiden flight on 1 July 2022. According to DRDO, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way-point navigation and a smooth touchdown while operating in a fully autonomous mode.{{Cite news |last=Alex Philip |first=Snehesh |date=2022-07-01 |title='Major milestone': India conducts maiden flight of unmanned aircraft demonstrator |url=https://theprint.in/defence/major-milestone-india-conducts-maiden-flight-of-unmanned-aircraft-demonstrator/1020170/ |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702085001/https://theprint.in/defence/major-milestone-india-conducts-maiden-flight-of-unmanned-aircraft-demonstrator/1020170/ |url-status=live }}

File:Ghatak Scaled Down Model at ASTE.jpg inspecting Ghatak UCAV Scaled model at ASTE]]

On 15 December 2023, DRDO successfully demonstrated the flight trial of first SWiFT prototype (flying wing configuration) at Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range. For the test, the avionic systems were further improved, demonstrating the level of technological maturity and preparedness. This marked the seventh flight trial of the platform various developmental configurations following its debut flight in 2022. It features an advanced ground control station, real-time and hardware-in-loop simulation, and improved aerodynamic and control systems. Lightweight carbon prepreg composite material, created locally, was used to construct the body. Fiber interrogators are infused into the composite structure in order to monitor health. With the use of onboard sensor data fusion and GAGAN receivers, autonomous landing has been demonstrated to be possible from any runway with documented coordinates, negating the requirement for ground radars, infrastructure, or pilots.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=DRDO carries out successful flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1986788 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Press Information Bureau}}{{Cite web |last=Jaiswal |first=Arushi |last2=Prasad |first2=Manish |date=2023-12-15 |title=DRDO successfully conducts flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/drdo-successfully-conducts-flight-trial-of-autonomous-flying-wing-technology-demonstrator-video-watch-2023-12-15-907461 |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=India TV News |language=en}}

{{Portal|Aviation|India}}

• Unmanned combat aerial vehicle

Related development

• DRDO Rustom

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Boeing X-45
• Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik
• TAI Anka-3
• Northrop Grumman X-47
• Lockheed Martin Polecat
• Dassault nEUROn
• BAE Taranis
• Boeing Phantom Ray
• Mikoyan Skat

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130215004723/http://livefist.blogspot.in/2012/02/exclusive-what-indias-stealth-ucav-aura.html Stealth UCAV AURA]

Technical:

• [https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/inline-files/STFE_WRITEUP.pdf Engine Layout and Modules of Manik STFE]

{{Unmanned aerial vehicles of DRDO}}

{{Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)}}

{{Stealth aircraft}}

Category:Unmanned military aircraft of India

AURA

Category:Unmanned stealth aircraft