National Aerospace Laboratories: Development of loitering UAV
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

National Aerospace Laboratories: Development of loitering UAV

India's research and development laboratory for civil aviation, the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), has issued a request for proposals for joint collaboration in the development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of loitering munition unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

According to the request, NAL intends to jointly develop UAVs capable of carrying a 15 kg warhead, along with 10-15 kg of suitable sensing payloads. The aim is for these UAVs to possess modern performance characteristics, including a loitering endurance of 6 to 9 hours and a maximum range of 900 km, with an overall weight restricted to below 150 kg.

The proposed UAVs will also feature a maximum altitude of 5 km, indigenous hardware and software, the ability to operate without Global Positioning System (GPS) assistance, and stealth capabilities to minimise radar visibility, among other specifications.

The document specified that the bidder is expected to be actively involved in the joint design, analysis, development, and testing of the various subsystems of the loitering munition UAV. Upon successful completion of flight testing, certification, and user acceptance, the bidder will be granted the first right to manufacture, market, commercialise, and provide after-sales support for the UAV.

NAL?s request for proposals comes at a time when drones are increasingly being employed by both state and non-state actors in conflicts around the world, including the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, the use of armed drones in the Red Sea by Yemen?s Houthi rebels, and the conflict between Israel and Iran.

The document further noted that loitering munition UAVs have gained popularity in recent conflicts due to their distinct advantages over missiles and other aircraft. These UAVs combine features of both UAVs and missiles, allowing them to loiter over a specific area in enemy territory for an extended period until they detect targets. The role of loitering munition UAVs in suppressing enemy defences has been demonstrated in recent conflicts, it added.

India's research and development laboratory for civil aviation, the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), has issued a request for proposals for joint collaboration in the development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of loitering munition unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to the request, NAL intends to jointly develop UAVs capable of carrying a 15 kg warhead, along with 10-15 kg of suitable sensing payloads. The aim is for these UAVs to possess modern performance characteristics, including a loitering endurance of 6 to 9 hours and a maximum range of 900 km, with an overall weight restricted to below 150 kg. The proposed UAVs will also feature a maximum altitude of 5 km, indigenous hardware and software, the ability to operate without Global Positioning System (GPS) assistance, and stealth capabilities to minimise radar visibility, among other specifications. The document specified that the bidder is expected to be actively involved in the joint design, analysis, development, and testing of the various subsystems of the loitering munition UAV. Upon successful completion of flight testing, certification, and user acceptance, the bidder will be granted the first right to manufacture, market, commercialise, and provide after-sales support for the UAV. NAL?s request for proposals comes at a time when drones are increasingly being employed by both state and non-state actors in conflicts around the world, including the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, the use of armed drones in the Red Sea by Yemen?s Houthi rebels, and the conflict between Israel and Iran. The document further noted that loitering munition UAVs have gained popularity in recent conflicts due to their distinct advantages over missiles and other aircraft. These UAVs combine features of both UAVs and missiles, allowing them to loiter over a specific area in enemy territory for an extended period until they detect targets. The role of loitering munition UAVs in suppressing enemy defences has been demonstrated in recent conflicts, it added.

Next Story
Real Estate

Our panels build faster and cost less than traditional methods

In the race to build faster and taller, the construction industry often leaves a heavy environmental footprint. But what if we could build with speed, efficiency, and sustainability? Sangeetha Menon, Founder and CEO, Hedrad, an NSRCEL-incubated venture pioneering lightweight composite panels in India, discusses her journey of innovation, unique marketing strategy and vision for a greener future in construction with CW.What inspired the name Hedrad and what does it represent in terms of your brand’s values?The name stems from the core of our panels, which use a honeycomb design base..

Next Story
Technology

We’re building robots that flow, not just move

Founded in 2021, Flo Mobility is reimagining construction automation with vision-AI robots designed for seamless movement through complex sites. In conversation with CW, Manesh Jain, Founder & CEO, discusses the company’s origin, its LiDAR-free tech stack, and expansion plans in the Middle East and US.What inspired the name Flo Mobility? Why ‘Flo’ and not ‘Flow’?When we started the company in 2021, our focus was on building autonomous navigation systems for robots. Since our work centred around robot movement, ‘mobility’ naturally became part of the name. We wanted to co..

Next Story
Real Estate

We’re committed to setting benchmarks in sustainable luxury living

From a landmark land acquisition in Boisar to ambitious launches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Pune, Birla Estates is driving future-ready growth with a strong focus on sustainability, partnerships and premium living, firmly anchored in its LifeDesigned® philosophy. K T Jithendran, Managing Director & CEO, outlines the company’s premium, sustainable growth playbook in conversation with PRATAP PADODE, Editor-in-Chief, CW. Excerpts:Birla Estates recently acquired a 70.92-acre land parcel in Boisar, Maharashtra, for..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?