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Indian UAV Programmes - Tech Focus
Indian UAV Programmes - Tech Focus
Altitude : 25000 ft
Endurance : 12-15 h
Speed : 225 kmph (max.); 150 kmph (cruise)
Command range : Up to 250 km
AUW : 750 kg
Take-off and landing : Conventional with external pilot
Payload : 75 kg
vehicles use single-axis tracking
system for datalink. Three
configurations, viz., Black Kite,
Golden Hawk, and Pushpak have
been designed, developed and test
flown.
Sudarshan
An advanced laser guidance
bomb (LGB) kit, Sudarshan, is being
developed by ADE to improve the
accuracy of conventional 1000 lb
class dumb bombs. The guidance kit which has been illuminated by laser system. The laser energy is reflected
directs the bomb towards a target, energy using a laser designator from the target and detected by the
laser seeker unit on the LGB kit. The Armed Forces. Rustom-H would be
seeker provides information on the capable of: Taking-off from and
Capable of short run take-off and
deviation of the laser spot from the landing on a prepared runway,
landing on prepared runway.
centre line of the detector. The carrying payloads up to 350 kg, and
control system processes this operating at altitudes up to 30,000 Capability to fly at altitudes of
information and generates suitable feet (9.1 km). It can be programmed 30000 ft with payloads.
deflections on the canard surfaces to to fly autonomously in waypoint Manual and autonomous
effect changes in bomb trajectory, navigation or in pre-defined patterns controls, with radar warning
thereby guiding the bomb to the up to 35 h and operates on line-of- receiver, identification of friend or
target. sight communication up to 250 km foe, and traffic collision avoidance
and up to 350 km with a relay. systems.
The development of the kit has
matured to the level of guiding the A variety of state-of-the-art
bomb within 10 m CEP from its electrooptic (EO) sensors,
otherwise 400 m to 1000 m fall-off Electromagnetic Intelligence (ELINT)
the target. Indian Air Force has and Communication Intelligence
During development of Nishant
shown keen interest in buying (COMINT) payloads, SAR or maritime
and Lakshya, ADE has developed a
hundreds of these kits. The extension patrol radar (MPR), will be fitted
large number of technologies in the
of kit’s capability to further increase onboard Rustom to provide multi-
field of flight telemetry, control
its range using global positioning mission performance capabilities.
system, sensors, and composite
system (GPS) INS is going on. The technical challenge lies in the
materials that have aided in the
design and development of
design, testing, analysis, and
lightweight airframe and systems
manufacturing of UAVs. The
that operate reliably for long
technologies developed and
Rustom-H durations.
implemented in the UAV sub-
Rustom-H, a medium altitude, Unmanned Combat Aerial systems are:
long endurance UAV with multi- Vehicle
mission capability, is being Aerodynamics Design
developed indigenously for the Aeronautical Development
ADE has expertise in aerodynamic
Agency (ADA), ADE, and Defence
configuration design, performance
Avionics and Research
evaluation, and analysis of a UAV
Establishment (DARE)
using advanced computer-aided
are jointly developing
design (CAD) tools; powerful
an indigenous un-
computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
manned combat aerial
tools based on Reynolds-averaged
vehicle (UCAV), named
Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, LES
Aura. Flight control
and domain name system (DNS)
system and data link
techniques; wind tunnel testing with
packages of the Aura
the state-of-the-art data acquisition
will be designed and
systems; and flow visualisation using
developed jointly by PIV, PSP, and laser techniques.
ADE and Defence
Electronic Application Design and development of
Laboratory, Dehradun. multi-element airfoil to achieve high
lift resulting into enhanced This has been widely used in Nishant Composite Technologies
endurance of UAV has been and Rustom Projects. All the
achieved. CFD capability includes electronic packages for the UAV ADE has developed various
advanced software like Panel code; programme have been developed grades of syntactic foams for specific
Euler code; RANS code; Nielson code in-house carrying out thermal, shock aerospace applications like
for store separation characteristics at load, and dynamic analyses. Thermal microwave transparent foams (as
transonic speeds; propeller design imaging, shock response spectrum core material in broadband
code based on calculus of variation; test, and environmental test have sandwich radome); electrically-
airfoil design and analysis code; been conducted as per MIL conductive foams (as core material in
aircraft database generation code; standards. electronic enclosures); and carbon
and design optimisation code. nanotube-reinforced nano-
composite foams, etc. The foams are
Aero Structure Design typically used as the core materials in
sandwich configurations designed
ADE is involved in the total aero
for different applications and can
structure design including
also be suitably tailored for the same
configuration design, equipment
by intelligent choice of chemistry
layout, sizing of components, and
and composition.
conventional and Finite Element (FE)
analysis of airframe components.
Use of improved and environ-
Expertise has been developed in the
mental friendly non-contact molding
fields of aero-elastic studies, impact
processes like resin infusion molding
studies, power plant configuration,
(RIM) and resin transfer molding
and Slosh analysis. Modules are
(RTM) have been mastered. The
iteratively designed using advanced
processes were first validated by
tools. Structural design and
process experiments involving point
evaluation using composites have
infusion (radial flow) and directional
been extensively used. Gimbaled
flow (edge flow) techniques for
payload assembly (GPA) is a high
monolithic and sandwich panels and
precision optomechanical system
then demonstrated successfully by
used for reconnaissance purpose. A
developing different prototype UAV
much optimised design has been
parts, and finally extended to
achieved using latest CAD tools
develop actual UAV components.
including Pro-engineer and ADAMS.
Propulsion with Nishant. The performance of the model has been developed using
engine has been proved in flight statistical tools to predict the average
Indigenisation of Gas Turbine
trials. and the standard deviations of each
and Rotary Engines
engine parameter. Engine test run
Engine Health Monitoring
Development of a jet engine data acquired online is then
involves a coordinated effort among ADE has set up test-bed facilities compared with the baseline
the designers, certification agency, for testing gas turbines, and rotary signature of the engine. The online
and the users. Coordinated efforts of and internal combustion engines of engine parameters are displayed
ADE have resulted in the UAVs. An online data acquisition and with reference to the baseline
development of an indigenous health monitoring system (DAHMS) signature model indicating the
certified airworthy jet engine has also been developed by ADE to health of the system.
[Pilotless Target Aircraft Engine monitor all engine parameters
Flight Mechanics and
(PTAE)-7], which meets all mission during engine testing on ground and
requirements of the Lakshya integration runs. DAHMS displays
Control Engineering
including high altitude tests. parameters in red when these Design and development of the
Indigenous development of a rotary engines exceeded their maximum flight control laws is the most
engine is critical for ADE’s UAV limits during testing. The basic important phase of aircraft
programme. A 55 hp rotary, water- approach of the DAHMS is to collect development as this ensures the
cooled Wankel engine has been data of all engine parameters from all stability and controllability of air
designed and developed jointly by the fault-free engine runs at various vehicle over the entire flight
ADE, NAL and VRDE, and integrated engine speeds. A baseline signature envelope. ADE has established
facilities to conduct mathematical helps ground pilot to control the Fully autonomous mode with
modelling of rigid body dynamics aircraft according to the situation. waypoint navigation.
(6DoF), flexible body dynamics This mission control law has
Autonomous programmed flight
(9DoF), dynamics of electro- provision to execute pre-
modes.
mechanical actuators and flight and programmed manoeuvres that
mission sensors, and atmospheric facilitate its mission sensor focused Circle program.
disturbances. Expertise is available in on the target(s). Racecourse program across and
the error modelling of actuators, along the leg.
Flight Control Software
sensors, digital implementation
effects, and nonlinearities. ADE has
and Hardware Figure-of-eight program across
evolved and adopted a unique Onboard Flight Control and along the leg.
design specification for various Software for UAVs Navigate back home through Get-
unmanned vehicles. U-Home mode.
The flight control, mission, and
A low-cost, lightweight, navigation program is an embedded ADE has set-up sophisticated
moderate-accuracy navigation software performing safety-critical software development facility with
system has also been designed by computations for navigation, tools and infrastructure catering to
ADE. It is one of the first aeronautical guidance, and control functions. It the entire software development
systems wherein designers have receives inputs from various sensors lifecycle.
used ‘air data dead reckoning’ and ground-generated commands
navigation as the primary navigation and processes these inputs to
system and GPS as the secondary compute the control output for the Software requirements
navigation system. ADE is also actuators in real-time frame. The generation (DOORS/Analyst).
venturing into the state-of-the-art flight control software for various
Software design—Rhapsody Ada
laser-based inertial navigation UAVs in general helps in the
developer.
system for HALE/MALE UAVs, and following main functions:
miniaturised INS for micro UAVs. RTOS–VX WORKS.
Automated launch phase.
The capability to design guidance Coding–Green Hills Ada
Manual and assisted take-off and
system based on pursuit and turn Multi/GNAT Pro Ada.
landing (Rustom).
pursuit for aircraft, line of sight for CSU/CSC testing —AdaTest 95, C
Manual flying.
bombs, PN and predictive guidance language, simulator/target
for targets, has been attained. ADE Heading hold, altitude hold, board.
has capability to design and develop speed hold and track hold
the mission control laws also for functions. Software configuration
various unmanned vehicles. This tool—Synergy.
Air data dead reckoning
includes the mission sequence to be navigation with GPS and ground TARGET-Zilog 8002/MPC 555/
followed during vertical launch, tracker updates. MPC 7410/7448.
terminal homing, automatic take-off
Flight during link-loss mode. HOST platform—PCs, PC servers,
and landing, automated waypoint
and SUN server with thin clients.
navigation in cruise phase and in Capability for in-flight mission
recovery. A three-tier mission control plan change. Actuators
structure has been designed with
manual mode (layer 1), semi- Low-level flight (50 m) and high G ADE has designed and developed
turns (Lakshya). electromechanical actuators for
autonomous mode (layer 2), and fully
autonomous mode (layer 3) that Semi-autonomous flight. various UAV applications like engine
Integrated Digital Flight Integrated Avionics Package
Control Processor for Lakshya-2 for Nishant
Integrated digital flight control Integrated avionics package (IAP)
processor (IDFCP) is a full-authority is a full-authority digital FCS with a
compact simplex hardware that limited authority hot standby
caters to the computational and redundant analog backup unit. It
various interface requirements with comprises a digital flight control and
other sub-systems. The integrated mission navigation computer
package performs flight control and (FCMNC) based on Z8002 processor
mission navigation functions, with analog backup and recovery
telemetry and ranging functions. The logic, encoder-decoder processor
package has provision for GPS, based on 80C186 for pilot command
throttle control, and control surface
interface, GPS with microcontroller
actuators. The first indigenously Microelectromechanicalsystems
87c51 interface, air data sensors with
designed, developed, and produced (MEMS) sensors, and other real-world
necessary signal processing circuitry,
actuators are rotary type and have interfaces also.
interfaces to payload processors, and
been used in Nishant. These are
The flight control functionality is power supply modules that generate
inherently simple and reliable and
performed by a 32-bit PowerPC (MPC various power supplies for onboard
built around brush dc motor, spur
circuitry and sensors.
gears, and potentiometer as a 555) operating @40 MHz. The
position sensor. telemetry functionality is performed
Open System Architecture-
by a 32-bit Power PC (MPC 860) @66 based Flight Control Computer
The experience gained from
MHz. Autonomous handlers have for Rustom
these actuation systems has been
been provided for GPS, heading and
used in developing high-power Rustom flight control computer
Radalt (altimeter) interfaces.
actuator for Lakshya successfully. An (RFCC) is a duplex flight control
integrated actuator with controller, The package provides for fault computer with advanced
motor, gears and position sensor logging through non-volatile redundancy management based on
packed in a compact housing has random access memory (NVRAM), state-of-the-art PowerPC MPC7448
been realised. built-in-self-test (BIT) and power-on- processors working on 1GHz. The
self-test (POST) features. computer is designed on two
Flight Control Computers
ADE has designed, developed,
tested and qualified highly reliable
flight control computers (FCCs) for
unmanned aircraft.
Sensor Packages
Input supply voltage : +12 V (±1 V dc)
The air data unit provides the
Input current : 50 mA (max.)
barometric altitude and indicates air
speed of Lakshya. The unit provides Altitude range : 0 m to 12000 m
electrical outputs linearly
Altitude output : 0 V to 5 V (+ 0.1 V)
proportional to altitude and
These augmenters have been used as and attitude of the aircraft. The for better interconnectivity between
payloads or imbedded into the trajectory display provides the flight various stations, and integrated
structure of the aircraft itself to path of the aircraft on a geographical voice link with command and
enhance the radar cross-section of map of the area, where the mission telemetry, are the important
the UAV. takes place. features.
Ground Control Station and ADE has developed GCS for long Radio Frequency Packages
endurance operation with full
Associated Equipment Some of the radio frequency (RF)
redundancy for all the systems
Ground control station (GCS) is packages designed include: Fixed-
containing features like relay UAV
used to track, control, and monitor frequency datalink for UHF
operation capability and intra-
the UAV. It also helps in mission command uplink, and P and L band
operable console configuration.
planning and validation, payload telemetry downlink; and FPGA-
Raster and vector display map with
information exploitation and system based PCM encoder to transmit the
3-D capability, and structured
diagnostics. The GCS receives telemetry information in PCM serial
intelligence database for system fault
telemetry data and generates the stream. Besides, the GCS operates in
diagnosis reporting and capability.
parameters display and trajectory L band to track the UAV during its
External pilot technology with safe
display. The parameter display flight.
hand over/take over features,
provides the status of sub-systems standardisation of system interface : The
encoder/decoder unit digitises the
commands and digitally modulates
the data for transmission. The unit
also demodulates the data received
from the aircraft and sends the data
to the processor for display.
Gimbal System
as dual EO payloads (DTV + FLIR). The contrast aerial imagery, mathe- GCS of Nishant to acquire, store,
target acquisition ranges of two-axes matical models for computing the retrieve, process, analyse, interpret,
two-GPA are limited to 5 km for a tank ground location of targets and display, and disseminate information
sized target. terrain measurements, and a from imagery during UAV mission.
combination of the two for various
applications. The ground image Registration and mapping for
exploitation system has been enhanced understanding of images
successfully installed in an advanced have been done. The aligned images
Quality Control
Flight Testing
Evaluating an air vehicle for its
performance is the most important
stage in its development. Testing of
aerial targets is carried out at DRDO’s
Integrated Test Range (ITR),
Chandipur. For tactical UAVs, a range
in Kolar, Karnataka, has been
established and a new aeronautical
critical analysis (FMECA), and fault phase of an aircraft development test range at Chitradurga is under
tree analysis (FTA) are carried out. lifecycle, since it brings out the development. These ranges are
important issues relating to the equipped with latest equipment like
Integration interfacing of LRUs developed by the radars, EO thermal scanning, CCTV,
various workcentres. This process and high-speed cameras for tracking
Mechanical assemblies are and evaluation of UAVs.
ensures safe and reliable
evaluated for quality at different accomplishment of the mission in
stages of mechanical integration and the most efficient way.
various checks are carried out on
airframe before clearance for Avionics system integration,
integration. Avionics system being a multidisciplinary task, calls The design and development of
integration is a mandatory and vital for the contributions from the highly UAV systems is a multidisciplinary
process. The following DRDO Datalink for Nishant : Defence QC, integration, flight tests are being
labs/estt are also involved in the Electronics Application Laboratory, carried out by DRDO.
development of different sub- Dehradun.
systems:
Recovery Parachute: Aerial Delivery
Research and Development Production of UAVs for the
Warhead: Armament Research and
Establishment , Agra. Services is being done in partnership
Development Establishment, Pune.
with Defence PSUs and private
Luneberg Lense: Defence Materials RCS Measurement: Defence vendors. Technology for Lakshya has
Laboratory, Jodhpur. been transferred to HAL. Besides,
and Stores Research and Develop-
some other production partners are:
ment Establishment, Kanpur. Launcher for Nishant and Lakshya 2: Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL);
Research and Development Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL); High
Pyro Devices and Booster: High
Establishment (Engineers), Pune. Energy Batteries (HEB); Electronic
Energy Materials Research
Laboratory, Pune, and Advanced While various sub-systems are Corporation of India Limited (ECIL);
Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad. being produced by private vendors, and Ordnance Factories.
The potential of UAVs is very vast. In 21
century, DRDO is committed to deliver state-
of-the-art UAV systems to the Indian Armed
Forces. The technologies described above are
the base for the future UAV development
programmes. Futuristic programmes of DRDO
include UCAV, micro and mini, multi-role, and
solar powered UAVs.
Editors thank Mrs V Bala, Scientist F, ADE, Bengaluru, for helping in bringing out this issue.
Telephone: 011-23902475
Fax:011-23819151; 011-23813465
director@desidoc.drdo.in E-mail: director@desidoc.drdo.in
www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/techfocus/welcome3.htm Internet: www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/techfocus/welcome3.htm