DRDO Ghatak: Difference between revisions

| caption = A scaled down technology demonstrator of DRDO GHATAK ( SWiFT )

'''''Ghatak''''' (pronounced<small>:</small> [[Help:IPA/Hindi|gʰɑːt̪ək]]<small>; ''lit.'' '</small>''Deadly''' in [[Hindi]]){{efn|from Hindi/Sanskrit 'घातक' (<small>[[IAST|romanised]]:</small> ''ghātaka'') meaning 'killer', 'deadly'}} is an autonomous jet powered [[Stealth aircraft|stealthy]] [[unmanned combat air vehicle]] (UCAV), being developed by [[Aeronautical Development Establishment]] (ADE) of the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) for the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite news|title=India to develop unmanned combat aerial vehicle|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-to-develop-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle/story-gnfRezY6tbKLDa3mtkUdmI.html|work=Hindustan Times|agency=IANS|date=25 November 2009|language=en|access-date=29 December 2017|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229113001/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-to-develop-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle/story-gnfRezY6tbKLDa3mtkUdmI.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Imagery Details Indian Aura UCAV|url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/new-imagery-details-indian-aura-ucav|work=Aviation Week & Space Technology|date=16 July 2012|access-date=29 December 2017|archive-date=12 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212092824/http://aviationweek.com/awin/new-imagery-details-indian-aura-ucav|url-status=live}}</ref> The design work on the [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|UCAV]] is to be carried out by [[Aeronautical Development Agency]] (ADA). ''Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA)'' was a tentative name for the UCAV.<ref name="toi" /><ref name="et" /> Details of the project are classified.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/100966/India/india-developing-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle.html|title=India developing unmanned combat aerial vehicle|work=India Today|date=2010-06-10|access-date=2012-01-28|archive-date=30 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730041845/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/100966/India/india-developing-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Ghatak UCAV will have an internal weapons bay for carrying [[missiles]], bombs and [[precision-guided munition]]s. Its design will be based on a [[flying-wing]] concept, and will be powered by a [[turbofan]] engine.

The first flight of a scaled down [[testbed]] was carried out in July 2022,<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2022-07-01 |title=DRDO flight tests new autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-flight-tests-new-autonomous-flying-wing-technology-demonstrator/article65589041.ece |access-date=2022-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702064235/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-flight-tests-new-autonomous-flying-wing-technology-demonstrator/article65589041.ece |archive-date=2 July 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and that of a full scale prototype is expected in 2025.<ref name=":2" />

The Ghatak is an [[Autonomous aircraft|autonomous jet]] powered [[Stealth aircraft|stealthy]] [[unmanned combat air vehicle]] (UCAV), being developed by the [[Aeronautical Development Establishment]] (ADE).<ref name=":5" /> It was initially called the ''Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA),''<ref name=et>{{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}}</ref> but was eventually renamed as ''Ghatak'' UCAV.<ref name="shivaroor">{{Cite web |last=Aroor |first=Shiv |author-link=Shiv Aroor |title=EXCLUSIVE: Inside The World Of India’sIndia'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 }}</ref><ref name="toi" /> In 2015, [[Minister of Defence (India)|Defence Minister]] [[Manohar Parrikar]] informed the [[Rajya Sabha]] that the Ghatak UCAV will be powered by a dry variant of the [[GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri|Kaveri]] [[Afterburner|afterburning]] [[turbofan]] engine,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> which will have a thrust of 52 [[kilonewton]]s.<ref name="toi" />

The flight control system and data link packages of the UCAV will be developed inhouse by ADA and [[Defence Electronics Application Laboratory]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Ghatak UCAV will be developed with public – private sector participation.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

In 2011, in an interview given to [[The Economic Times]], [[DRDO]]'s 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 [[Artificial intelligence|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, the UCAVs will have rail-launching for the missiles, bombs and PGMs (precision-guided munitions) they will carry."<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref name="toi">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="toi" /> 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.<ref name=":2" /> [[Times Now]] news quoting DRDO scientists reports that this design ensures optimum fuel use and stability for the aircraft.<ref name=":4">{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="toi" /> 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 Ghatak & [[HAL AMCA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=158007|title=DRDO Projects|date=3 February 2017|website=[[Ministry of Defence (India)|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}}</ref><ref name="shivaroor" /> 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) of the Indian Navy|Landing Platform Docks (LPD)]].<ref name=":0" />

[[File:DRDO SWiFT.webm|thumb|Successful maiden flight of SWiFT on 1 July 2022.|left]]

The developmentDevelopment of a scaled down technology demonstrator of Ghatak UCAV, called ''Stealth Wing Flying Testbed'' (SWiFT), has began in 2020.<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">{{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 }}</ref> The ground trials of SWiFT UAV has began in June 2021, picture and videos of it carrying out taxi trials surfaced on 29 October 2021. It had resemblance to the US [[Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit]] stealth bomber.<ref name=":2" /> The SWiFT UAV has a length of 4 metres and a wingspan of 5 metres.<ref name=":1">{{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/ |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=NewsOnAIR -– |language=en-US |archive-date=30 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830085529/https://newsonair.com/2021/06/23/drdo-initiates-the-trails-of-advanced-stealth-swift-drone/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4" /> The weigh of Swift UAV is around 1 tonne, and it uses a [[NPO Saturn]] 36MT<ref name=":4" /> or TRDD-50MT [[turbofan]] engine.<ref name=":3" />

The SWiFT UAV (technology demonstrator of Ghatak UCAV) took its maiden flight on 1 July 2022.<ref name=":3" /> 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.<ref name=":5">{{Cite webnews |last=Alex Philip |first=Snehesh |date=2022-07-01 |title=‘Major'Major milestone’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 }}</ref> The airframeHowever, undercarriagethe andaircraft entireflown flightin controlthe andvideo avionicsuses systemsa used[[vertical forstabilizer]] thewhich aircraftis (SWiFTotherwise UAV)absent werefrom developedthe indigenouslydesign.<ref name=":3"This />is Apartpossibly fromdue beingto aissues precursorwith forthe technologyhorizontal developmentstability relatedof tothe Ghatakaircraft.<ref>{{Cite project,news SWiFT|last1=Kadidal might|first1=Akhil also|last2=Parakala move|first2=Akshara ahead|date=4 asJuly separate2022 project|title=DRDO undersuccessfully [[unmanned]]test [[wingman]]flies bomberflying-wing programUCAV |work=Janes |url=https://www.<refjanes.com/amp/drdo-successfully-test-flies-flying-wing-ucav/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 name|access-date="23 November 2022 |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https:1"//web.archive.org/web/20221124013901/https://www.janes.com/amp/drdo-successfully-test-flies-flying-wing-ucav/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 |url-status=live }}</ref>