Indian drone development, procurement , news and updates .

[PARIKRAMA]

Indian drone development, procurement , news and updates .

This will help collate all information on Rustom 1 and 2, Nishant, Guardian, Predator, Avenger, Herons, etc etc.. All indian programs and abroad purchases under this. Also will include all Aura UCAV program as well.


No Separate Thread on this topic. Pls collate and post in this thread only.

@waz @WAJsal @Oscar
Request you to sticky this thread


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[PARIKRAMA]

Some of the threads in this topic running are

• https://defence.pk/threads/us-defence-official-confirms-india-will-acquire-‘guardian-drones’.448737/
• https://defence.pk/threads/in-midwa...nformation-from-its-armed-uav-program.447925/
• https://defence.pk/threads/us-likely-to-make-sale-of-guardian-drones-to-india-officials.448119/
• https://defence.pk/threads/india-looking-to-buy-100-predator-drones-from-the-us.446725/
• https://defence.pk/threads/india-ke...rmed-drones-after-entry-into-the-mtcr.446210/
• https://defence.pk/threads/india-denies-predator-uav-purchase.446025/
• https://defence.pk/threads/manohar-parrikar’s-us-visit-may-clear-logistics-pact-predator-buy.444577/
• https://defence.pk/threads/india-has-no-immediate-plans-to-buy-predator-drones-from-us.443991/
• https://defence.pk/threads/indian-n...guardian-and-emals-lor-sent-to-us-gov.442052/
• https://defence.pk/threads/general-...ackage-to-india-bound-predator-drones.443993/
• https://defence.pk/threads/general-atomics-positions-itself-in-flourishing-indian-uav-market.440013/
• https://defence.pk/threads/uss-top-...neral-atomics-to-open-office-in-india.439132/
• https://defence.pk/threads/india-will-no-longer-require-israel’s-heron-or-us-predator-drones.439210/
• https://defence.pk/threads/new-delhi-issues-tri-service-male-uav-requirement.437994/
• https://defence.pk/threads/indian-n...r-xp-drones-for-maritime-surveillance.436963/
• https://defence.pk/threads/guardian-uav-for-indian-navy.436274/
• https://defence.pk/threads/confirmed-india-asks-us-for-predator-c-drones.434322/
• https://defence.pk/threads/indian-g...ct-for-indias-first-stealth-ucav-aura.413410/
• https://defence.pk/threads/aura-unmanned-combat-aircraft.385659/
• https://defence.pk/threads/aura-the-future-of-indian-airforce.310783/

and many more.

Pls collate all the information under one place and use this thread for discussion going forward

 

[freeskylord]

amazing work

It will be easy for Pakistani counterpart to collect all information and create a pattern based on open media source.

wonderful work @PARIKRAMA keep it up!!

 

[PARIKRAMA]

IAF puts all its western sector bases under UAV surveillance
As part of the forthcoming Air exercise in WAC (Western Air Command) and to enhance security measures, all Air Force bases in Western Air Command are now under continuous security surveillance by UAVs.

By: PTI | New Delhi | Published:September 10, 2016 7:13 pm
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has put all it bases in the western sector under UAV surveillance in the run up to an air exercise scheduled later next week. As part of the forthcoming Air exercise in WAC (Western Air Command) and to enhance security measures, all Air Force bases in Western Air Command are now under continuous security surveillance by UAVs, an IAF source said.

Pathankot air base, which came under attack from Pakistan-based terrorists earlier this year, also comes under the Western Air Command. The air exercise, which comes in the aftermath of the Pathankot terror attack, is scheduled to be held in Haldwara in Punjab next week.

During the exercise full strength of a base is on operational deployment and the security pickets and patrols are enhanced and strengthened. The WAC also rates its performance and compares it with reports by independent bodies like DASI and AEB.

The AF operations are highly centralised. The command monitored very closely its own plans unfolding without major glitches. “With the passage of time, change of equipment and Manning state, fresh realignments must work in sync. We also rate our performance and compare with reports by independent bodies like DASI and AEB,” the source said.

“Since all bases have gone through special security audits post Pathankot terror attack and actioned upon the issues flagged therein, the surveillance would be a good feedback mechanism also,” source added. The exercise also allows commander to cross check actual redeployment of assets and personnel on ground, the sources said.
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...orce-western-sector-uav-surveillance-3024326/

+++

I guess Herons will be deployed for continuous surveillance.

 

[DavidSling]

Since India run alot of Israeli drones, I guess this thread will be of use here
https://defence.pk/threads/israeli-drones.413048/

 

[R!CK]

And we finally have a dedicated thread for UAVs! Many thanks @PARIKRAMA and Mods.

Good Day!

 

[newindiandefence]

Is India want guardian or buying only because us not giving avenger?
2 billion for unarmed uav , very expensive
3. Haron tp is good if we are not getting armed ucav avenger or predator B guardian.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Indian Navy and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

• For the Indian navy, unmanned aerial systems evoke interest primarily in the context of near-sea operations. Since high-performing drones can remain on station for extended periods and provide crucial data in real time, unmanned systems are perceived as a definite asset.
• Since 2009, the navy has established three UAV squadrons in Kochi (Kerala), Porbander (Gujarat) and Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) that operate Heron and the Searcher MK II vehicles for coastal surveillance.
• Plans are also in place to induct at least two more squadrons of UAVs to be controlled from ships to increase the range of surveillance.
• In March 2015, the Indian Navy (IN) invited bids for 'Ship-Borne Unmanned Aerial Vehicles' (UAV) that can augment various patrolling and search-related tactics on its vessels.
• The Request for Information (RFI), issued by the Directorate of Naval Air Staff (DNAS) stated a need for 50 Shipborne UAS for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and monitoring of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC), as 8 well as EEZ safety, anti-piracy and anti-terrorism patrols.
• Ship-launched UAVs are useful because they enhance the ship's communication with other friendly vessels, aircraft and satellites by relaying signalsespecially from the IN's dedicated naval satellite (Rukmani).
• The more significant dimension of the wider road-map for UAV capability creation is the navy's plans to induct strategic unmanned systems.
• Its proposal in 2010 for the acquisition of a fleet of high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) maritime UAVs resulted in an offer from the US government for Northrop Grumman to conduct preliminary discussions with Indian officials for the sale of the modified Global Hawk developed under the US Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program. The US considered it a reasonable proposition because the Indian navy was the first export customer of the Boeing P-8. Unfortunately, discussions did not proceed beyond the preliminary stage.
• A year earlier, the Indian navy had proffered a case for the acquisition of rotary-wing tactical UAS. The requirement was floated following slow movement on an existing naval rotary UAV (NRUAV) program based on the Chetak/ Alouette-III helicopter. The program had run into several hurdles with its autopilot and other systems, delaying it indefinitely and compelling the navy to unlink it from its immediate requirement. Again, three firmsthe Northrop Grumman's (MQ-8 Firescout), the SAAB (Skeldar) and EADS (Cassidian Tanan 300)placed bids, only to find the matter stalled at the bidding stage.

• The failure to acquire high-end drones, however, has not dampened India's enthusiasm for autonomous and combat platforms. Rising tensions in the Asia- Pacific, followed by an increased deployment of surveillance platforms in the regional littorals, have spurred the Indian navy to acquire unmanned platforms.
• Beijing's positioning of the high-tech Harbin BZK-005 drone on Woody Island has reinforced an existing impression in New Delhi that China's maritime operations in Asia are meant to dominate the Asian littorals.
• Fearing an expansion of China's naval presence in the Indian Ocean, New Delhi has sought to improve its surveillance capabilities in the IOR by inducting long-range maritime aircraft (P 8-Is) and seeking the transfer of the multi-mission 'Predator' platforms from the US.
• The jet-powered Predator Avenger will not be the first foreign unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to be transferred to India.
• Israel is in the process of producing a batch of 10 Heron TP armed drones for the Indian Air Force, capable of carrying 2,000 kg of weapons payload and air-to-ground precision missiles.
• As mentioned earlier, India already operates unarmed Heron-1 aircraft for surveillance and reconnaissance missions and a fleet of Harpy drones - a selfdestruct aircraft carrying a high-explosive warhead and primarily used for taking out enemy radar stations.
• The Predator, however, is likely to have greater operational utility than the Heron armed drones.
• Based on the MQ-9 Reaper drone, the Predator's bigger fuselage enables larger payloads and more fuel, allowing for extended missions. With jet-powered engines and a 2,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), these UCAVs will be able to carry out high- speed and long-endurance surveillance, and undertake massive strike missions

• Another driver of Indian efforts to weaponise its drone fleet is Pakistan's acquisition of armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UCAV). In May 2015, Pakistan test-fired a laser guided missile from its Burraq dronedeveloped with Chinese assistance - setting off alarm-bells in New Delhi, and an accelerated effort to develop a counter weapon.
• The initial momentum resulted in the setting up of a high accuracy satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) and a dedicated military communication satellite, but a fully operational UCAV continues to elude the Indian armed forces.
• The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has begun work on weaponising the indigenously developed Rustom-I Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV by integrating a locally developed anti-tank missile called the HELINA, but the project still seems many years away from completion.
• Despite the slow movement on UCAV projects, however, there is some cause for cheer. India has placed in orbit the GSAT-7, a dedicated military communication satellite, meeting a key requirement for operating armed drones.
• The Indian Navy has also enabled a networked program for missile firing exercises from its ships and aircrafts, with the GSAT-7's Ku band transmissions enabling critical Indian UAV operations.
• At a policy level, New Delhi is said to be working on a blueprint to procure more than 5,000 UAVs over the next 10 years.
• Reports suggest the Ministry of Defence has cleared Project Ghatak to build on the autonomous unmanned research aircraft (AURA) programme to develop a futuristic "Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle". Notwithstanding the inevitable delays and cost overruns, therefore, there is much enthusiasm for autonomous platforms.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

• Without discounting India's many achievements in developing remote sensing technologies, the path to a comprehensive autonomous capability is likely to be a hard one.
• With unmanned aerial vehicles, New Delhi's biggest impediment is the lack of critical technologies that will help integrate multiple sensors with combat capability.
• The most rudimentary among absent expertise is a collision avoidance system (CAS) that has confined aerial unmanned operations to the military airspace.
• Also, full-spectrum armed drone operations require a larger constellation of military communication satellites.
• Fewer satellites and insufficient communication bandwidth has meant that the armed forces have had to rely on short distance VHF links, limiting basing options for armed drones.
• In the future, there is likely to be a data surge from unmanned platforms to command centers that will drive higher bandwidth requirements.
• India must brace for a significant rise in UAV usage for intelligence gathering missions drone, it has encountered challenges in the form of inefficient design, as well as the cancellation of export licenses by the US State Department of the American origin actuators. The indigenous replacements for those actuators have been lacking in quality.
• Now that India has joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) it is expected that there would be better flow of dual-use items that go into UAV development.

Extracts from - Unmanned and Autonomous Vehicles and Future Maritime Operations in Littoral Asia by ORF, July 2016

At present India is negotiating for 22 Predator B Guardian. This extract seems apt for this sticky.

@MilSpec @Abingdonboy @anant_s @hellfire @Vergennes @Ankit Kumar 002 @SpArK @AUSTERLITZ @nair @Spectre @Armani @R!CK @GuardianRED @[Bregs] @zebra7

 

[GuardianRED]

Indian Navy and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

• For the Indian navy, unmanned aerial systems evoke interest primarily in the context of near-sea operations. Since high-performing drones can remain on station for extended periods and provide crucial data in real time, unmanned systems are perceived as a definite asset.
• Since 2009, the navy has established three UAV squadrons in Kochi (Kerala), Porbander (Gujarat) and Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) that operate Heron and the Searcher MK II vehicles for coastal surveillance.
• Plans are also in place to induct at least two more squadrons of UAVs to be controlled from ships to increase the range of surveillance.
• In March 2015, the Indian Navy (IN) invited bids for 'Ship-Borne Unmanned Aerial Vehicles' (UAV) that can augment various patrolling and search-related tactics on its vessels.
• The Request for Information (RFI), issued by the Directorate of Naval Air Staff (DNAS) stated a need for 50 Shipborne UAS for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and monitoring of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC), as 8 well as EEZ safety, anti-piracy and anti-terrorism patrols.
• Ship-launched UAVs are useful because they enhance the ship's communication with other friendly vessels, aircraft and satellites by relaying signalsespecially from the IN's dedicated naval satellite (Rukmani).
• The more significant dimension of the wider road-map for UAV capability creation is the navy's plans to induct strategic unmanned systems.
• Its proposal in 2010 for the acquisition of a fleet of high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) maritime UAVs resulted in an offer from the US government for Northrop Grumman to conduct preliminary discussions with Indian officials for the sale of the modified Global Hawk developed under the US Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program. The US considered it a reasonable proposition because the Indian navy was the first export customer of the Boeing P-8. Unfortunately, discussions did not proceed beyond the preliminary stage.
• A year earlier, the Indian navy had proffered a case for the acquisition of rotary-wing tactical UAS. The requirement was floated following slow movement on an existing naval rotary UAV (NRUAV) program based on the Chetak/ Alouette-III helicopter. The program had run into several hurdles with its autopilot and other systems, delaying it indefinitely and compelling the navy to unlink it from its immediate requirement. Again, three firmsthe Northrop Grumman's (MQ-8 Firescout), the SAAB (Skeldar) and EADS (Cassidian Tanan 300)placed bids, only to find the matter stalled at the bidding stage.

View attachment 333574

• The failure to acquire high-end drones, however, has not dampened India's enthusiasm for autonomous and combat platforms. Rising tensions in the Asia- Pacific, followed by an increased deployment of surveillance platforms in the regional littorals, have spurred the Indian navy to acquire unmanned platforms.
• Beijing's positioning of the high-tech Harbin BZK-005 drone on Woody Island has reinforced an existing impression in New Delhi that China's maritime operations in Asia are meant to dominate the Asian littorals.
• Fearing an expansion of China's naval presence in the Indian Ocean, New Delhi has sought to improve its surveillance capabilities in the IOR by inducting long-range maritime aircraft (P 8-Is) and seeking the transfer of the multi-mission 'Predator' platforms from the US.
• The jet-powered Predator Avenger will not be the first foreign unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to be transferred to India.
• Israel is in the process of producing a batch of 10 Heron TP armed drones for the Indian Air Force, capable of carrying 2,000 kg of weapons payload and air-to-ground precision missiles.
• As mentioned earlier, India already operates unarmed Heron-1 aircraft for surveillance and reconnaissance missions and a fleet of Harpy drones - a selfdestruct aircraft carrying a high-explosive warhead and primarily used for taking out enemy radar stations.
• The Predator, however, is likely to have greater operational utility than the Heron armed drones.
• Based on the MQ-9 Reaper drone, the Predator's bigger fuselage enables larger payloads and more fuel, allowing for extended missions. With jet-powered engines and a 2,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), these UCAVs will be able to carry out high- speed and long-endurance surveillance, and undertake massive strike missions

View attachment 333572
View attachment 333573

• Another driver of Indian efforts to weaponise its drone fleet is Pakistan's acquisition of armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UCAV). In May 2015, Pakistan test-fired a laser guided missile from its Burraq dronedeveloped with Chinese assistance - setting off alarm-bells in New Delhi, and an accelerated effort to develop a counter weapon.
• The initial momentum resulted in the setting up of a high accuracy satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) and a dedicated military communication satellite, but a fully operational UCAV continues to elude the Indian armed forces.
• The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has begun work on weaponising the indigenously developed Rustom-I Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV by integrating a locally developed anti-tank missile called the HELINA, but the project still seems many years away from completion.
• Despite the slow movement on UCAV projects, however, there is some cause for cheer. India has placed in orbit the GSAT-7, a dedicated military communication satellite, meeting a key requirement for operating armed drones.
• The Indian Navy has also enabled a networked program for missile firing exercises from its ships and aircrafts, with the GSAT-7's Ku band transmissions enabling critical Indian UAV operations.
• At a policy level, New Delhi is said to be working on a blueprint to procure more than 5,000 UAVs over the next 10 years.
• Reports suggest the Ministry of Defence has cleared Project Ghatak to build on the autonomous unmanned research aircraft (AURA) programme to develop a futuristic "Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle". Notwithstanding the inevitable delays and cost overruns, therefore, there is much enthusiasm for autonomous platforms.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

• Without discounting India's many achievements in developing remote sensing technologies, the path to a comprehensive autonomous capability is likely to be a hard one.
• With unmanned aerial vehicles, New Delhi's biggest impediment is the lack of critical technologies that will help integrate multiple sensors with combat capability.
• The most rudimentary among absent expertise is a collision avoidance system (CAS) that has confined aerial unmanned operations to the military airspace.
• Also, full-spectrum armed drone operations require a larger constellation of military communication satellites.
• Fewer satellites and insufficient communication bandwidth has meant that the armed forces have had to rely on short distance VHF links, limiting basing options for armed drones.
• In the future, there is likely to be a data surge from unmanned platforms to command centers that will drive higher bandwidth requirements.
• India must brace for a significant rise in UAV usage for intelligence gathering missions drone, it has encountered challenges in the form of inefficient design, as well as the cancellation of export licenses by the US State Department of the American origin actuators. The indigenous replacements for those actuators have been lacking in quality.
• Now that India has joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) it is expected that there would be better flow of dual-use items that go into UAV development.

Extracts from - Unmanned and Autonomous Vehicles and Future Maritime Operations in Littoral Asia by ORF, July 2016

At present India is negotiating for 22 Predator B Guardian. This extract seems apt for this sticky.

@MilSpec @Abingdonboy @anant_s @hellfire @Vergennes @Ankit Kumar 002 @SpArK @AUSTERLITZ @nair @Spectre @Armani @R!CK @GuardianRED @[Bregs] @zebra7

Is the issue of CISMOA linked with this? Will the communation Procotocals and systems be of indian origin?

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Is the issue of CISMOA linked with this? Will the communation Procotocals and systems be of indian origin?

No the Guardian drones wont have any issues linked with CISMOA or its variant.

Systems as of now i dont know for sure. Some customized stuff may be there but primarily all systems should be US origin. The reason being its a package
See

https://defence.pk/threads/india-ke...ntry-into-the-mtcr.446210/page-2#post-8620191

I believe such a replacement of the major 5 systems - FGCS, MGCS, GDT, DTs and PPSL will be proprietary work . With just 22 it may be a bit too much to ask for.

 

[newindiandefence]

Will it be ER model ?

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Will it be ER model ?

Possibly yes.
The base model does 27 hours and with additional tanks as payload does 34 hours.
ER is expected bcz it does 42 hours easily.

IN basic requirement is endurance of 40 hours so ER model only fits that criteria.

 

[R!CK]

Maritime Predator B - Guardian

Designated MQ-9 Reaper® by its U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force customers, the turboprop-powered, multi-mission Predator® B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) was developed with GA-ASI funding and provides significantly greater capabilities than Predator. First flown in 2001, Predator B is a highly sophisticated development built on the experience gained with the company's battle-proven Predator RPA and is a major evolutionary leap forward in overall performance and reliability.

Featuring unmatched operational flexibility, Predator B has an endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS, can operate up to 50,000 feet, and has a 3,850 pound (1746 kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1361 kilograms) of external stores. Twice as fast as Predator, the aircraft carries 500% more payload and has nine times the horsepower. It provides a long-endurance, persistent surveillance/strike capability for the war fighter.

An extremely reliable aircraft, Predator B is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

Predator B is powered by the flight-certified and proven Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, integrated with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC), which significantly improves engine performance and fuel efficiency, particularly at low altitudes.

The aircraft is highly modular and is configured easily with a variety of payloads to meet mission requirements. Predator B is capable of carrying multiple mission payloads to include: Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Lynx® Multi-mode Radar, multi-mode maritime surveillance radar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), laser designators, and various weapons packages.

Predator B continues to improve and evolve, making it more relevant for its customers' emerging needs. A new variant, Predator B ER, has been designed with field-retrofittable capabilities such as wing-borne fuel pods and a new reinforced landing gear that extends the aircraft's already impressive endurance from 27 hours to 34 hours while further increasing its operational flexibility. In 2016, the aircraft will evolve again when its wingspan will grow from 66 feet to 79 feet to hold the fuel that was previously stored in the fuel pods. This configuration will deliver 42 hours of endurance.

This aircraft has been acquired by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force, the Spanish Air Force, and soon others.

Characteristics:

• Wing Span: 66 ft (20m)
• Length: 36 ft (11m)
• Powerplant: Honeywell TPE331-10 Max
• Gross Takeoff Weight: 10,500 lb (4763 kg)
• Fuel Capacity: 3,900 lb (1769 kg)
• Payload Capacity: 850 lb int. (386 kg) / 3,000 lb ext. (1361 kg)
• Payloads:

MTS-B EO/IR
Raytheon SeaVue multi-mode maritime radar
Inmarsat (SATCOM)
Automated Identification System (AIS)
SIGINT/ESM system
Dual-ARC-210 radios
Dual-Wulfsberg radios
Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)​

• Power: 11.0 kVA (redundant)

Performance:

Max Altitude 50,000 ft
Max Endurance 27 hr
Max Airspeed 240 KTAS ​

Features:

• Triple-redundant flight control system
• Redundant flight control surfaces
• Remotely piloted or fully autonomous
• MIL-STD-1760 stores management system
• 7 external stations for carriage of payloads
• C-Band line-of-sight data link control
• Ku-Band Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS)/SATCOM data link control
• Over 90% system operational availability
• C-130 transportable (or self-deploys)

Source: http://www.ga-asi.com/predator-b

 

[R!CK]

Predator C Avenger

As with Predator® B, Predator C Avenger® was developed through the foresight and funding of GA-ASI. Its unique design, reduced signature, and speed increases its survivability in higher threat environments and provides potential customers with an expanded quick-response armed reconnaissance capability. The first flight of Predator C occurred in April 2009. The aircraft is currently in an expanded flight test program.

The high-speed, multi-mission Avenger is a long-endurance, medium-to-high-altitude Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system that can perform wide-area surveillance, time-sensitive strike missions over land or sea, and a host of other challenging military missions. The aircraft has much higher operational and transit speeds than current Predator-series aircraft, resulting in quick response and rapid repositioning for improved mission flexibility and survivability.

Avenger is a highly advanced, next-generation RPA. The jet-powered aircraft is equipped with a Pratt and Whitney PW545B turbofan engine capable of producing 4,800 pounds installed thrust. The engine is designed for greater fuel economy and features class-leading fuel consumption components. Avenger can operate at speeds up to 400 KTAS, a maximum altitude of 50,000 feet, and 18 hours endurance. Its significant payload capacity enables it to carry multiple sensors, while its internal weapons bay can house 3,500 pounds of precision munitions.

The next-generation Avenger employs the same materials and avionics as Predator B and is likewise controlled from and fully interoperable with GA-ASI Ground Control Stations (GCS) used for operating Predator-series aircraft. Avenger's low cost and advanced capabilities make it the optimum choice for employment in "swarm" tactics where affordable quantities count in a successful outcome.

In 2016, an extended range variant of Avenger will be available which will feature a 76-foot wingspan and increased fuel capacity that will increase the aircraft's endurance to 20 hours.

Characteristics:

• Wing Span: 66 ft (20m)
• Length: 44 ft (13m)
• Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney PW545B turbofan
• Max Gross Takeoff Weight: 18,200 lb (8255 kg)
• Fuel Capacity: 7,900 lb (3583 kg)
• Payload Capacity: 3,500 lb int. (1588 kg) 6,500 lb Total (2948 kg)
• Weapons:

Hellfire missiles
GBU-12/49, GBU-31
GBU-32, GBU-38 JDAM
GBU-39, GBU-16/48 ​

• Payloads:

EO/IR
Lynx Multi-mode Radar
SIGINT/ESM System
Communications relay ​

• Power: 20 kW (redundant)

Performance:

Max Altitude: 50,000 ft
Max Endurance: 18 hr
Max Airspeed: 400 KTAS ​

Features:

• Jet performance and reliability
• Reduced detection features
• Internal stores carriage
• Multiple payload capacity
• Retractable Electo-optic/Infrared (EO/IR) gimbal
• Triple-redundant avionics
• Dual-redundant flight controls
• Six external hard points
• Compatible with all GA-ASI GCS
• C-5/C-17 transportable (or self-deploy)

Source: http://www.ga-asi.com/predator-c-avenger

 

[Hellfire]

@PARIKRAMA

Excellents posts by you. Thanks @R!CK for the posts on Predator series.

The likelihood of the same being based at INHS Baaz is quite high as the range gives us continuous "eyes" over the Malaccas.

It is also the reason wherein I had quoted 42 the figure on the other thread for ACs.(+3 to 45 to cater for FGFA off shelf?)