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NEW DELHI: With the Indian armed forces inducting a large number of spy drones and "killer" UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) since the 1999 Kargil conflict, the hunt has now been launched for drones to operate underwater as well.
The Navy has invited proposals from both state-owned and private companies to acquire at least 10 AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles), which are non-tethered robotic devices driven through water by propulsion systems that are controlled and piloted by onboard computers.
AUVs can be used for MCM (mine counter-measures) operations, oceanographic surveys and specialised mapping, among other tasks. Advanced AUVs can even be deployed to keep under surveillance protected areas like harbours as well as aid in detection of enemy submarines.
"Apart from being manoeuvrable in three dimensions, the AUVs should be able to carry variable payloads such as high-definition sonars and underwater cameras for surveillance and reconnaissance activities of the seabed," said a Navy official.
"Capable of being launched from small vessels with a maximum weight of 1.5-tonne, the AUVs should be able to operate at depths up to 500 metre for 7-8 hours," he added.
The move comes at a time when the Army is also looking for combat drones, or UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles), drawing lessons from the deadly use of US `Predators' and `Reapers' against the Taliban in the ****** region. Unlike killer UAVs, which hit their targets and perish with their missions, UCAVs are like fighter jets because they return to their bases to re-arm themselves with more missiles for the next mission.
Good Going.. Indian Navy...
