UAV OPS IN INDIA: Newer Capacities and New Roles

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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are the latest military innovations that have been added to the arsenal of major armies of the world. It is deployed mostly for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) functions.

From its humble origin as an eye in the sky that watches the adversary while remaining within one’s one boundary, the ubiquitous UAV has developed into a potent weapon that can significantly affect the outcome of a conflict. While UAVs are mainly identified with the military applications they are also used in non-military applications such as law enforcement. Many military leaders believe that the UAVs will be the key players in future wars due to their vast potential, Of late, use of UAVs has become common especially in anti-terrorist operations. This article attempts to capture the growth of the operational capabilities of the UAVs from the passive observer to its current “avatar” of potent Hunter-killer and discuss the Indian scenario both in the context of indigenous and imported UAVs.


Genesis of UAVs

Subsequent to their use in surveillance role during the Israeli operations in Lebanonin 1982, the UAVs received the much deserved attention of the militaries of the world as a potential force multiplier. The sustained and frenzied efforts of various countries towards mastering the new UAV technology have resulted in vast improvement in UAV’s capabilities and hence its applications. The world for the first time had the grandstand view of PIONEER UAV operation through the televised war the “Desert Storm” in 1990-91. Subsequent conflicts over the years saw increasing use of the UAVs. The world has seen exponential rise in military spending related to UAV acquisition and technology development resulting in a host of UAVs which come in various sizes and shapes ranging from mini UAVs of 2Kg or less with a range of 10km to the mammoth 15 ton Global Hawk which can straddle continents.


PIONEER UAV

UAV-Operations: World experience

True to the maxim that “Seeing is believing” gathering of image intelligence has always been the primary function of the UAV. The Synthetic Aperture Radar and the electro-optic payload with CCD camera and thermal imager are the main sensors used to gather Image intelligence. The high accuracy stabilization systems, airborne video tracker, laser Designator/pointer are the other technologies critical to EO payloads. The accurate computation of the target location became feasible with the satellite based GPS technology and with the integration of satellite imagery. SAR can see through dust haze and fog and is considered an all weather sensor. Compact SAR systems suitable for MALE UAV platforms with ranges up to 40 Km and Moving target detection capability are available from number of sources such asUSAandIsrael.

Signal intelligence ranks next only to Image intelligence role, in importance. ELINT system’s ability to detect, identify and classify the RF (Radio Frequency) signal and to locate the emitters is crucial to the UAV in this role. In addition, the ability to finger print the emitters provide the capability to understand enemy deployment. Similarly, the COMINT systems carried by the UAVs enable the users to decode the various speech communications thereby obtaining the information as well as their locations leading to the overall deployment of the enemy formations.

Navies use UAVs for coastal and sea surveillance operations including Search & Rescue. Larger UAVs are well suited for this application as they can carry multiple payloads such as Electro optic, Maritime Patrol Radar and/ or SIGINT payloads. Ground control stations equipped with advanced image processing capabilities can identify and extract the objects of interest from a seemingly endless imagery data. The ability to control the UAVs/ monitor their output in real-time from ships gives the UAVs an edge over the manned aircrafts.

Deployment of Global Hawk UAVs to monitor the nuclear contamination levels in the Pacific region adjoiningJapanfollowing the Fukushima Nuclear disaster is possibly one of the most notable uses of UAVs in a “Dirty & Dangerous” mission. Armed (hunter-Killer) UAVs that can detect potential targets and engage them immediately makes them the most talked about UAVs . The extensive use of Predator armed UAVs in Afghanistan-Pakistan border region to detect and engage militants has underlined the potential of UAV as a possible weapon system.

Predator –B UAV

Few prototypes of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) capable of delivering weapons are flying. These UCAVs are being configured with stealth features to make them more survivable in an actual mission. TheUSAhas developed FIRESCOUT a rotary UAV to fulfill the role of transporter of supplies to the war-zone. Attack UAVs (developed byIsrael) laden with explosives that perform “kamikaze” operations by diving into targets to destroy them, is one of the lesser known UAVs. These UAVs known as” loitering weapons” are equipped with necessary homing devices that help them carry out precision attack on the intended target.

The operations of UAVs in various theatres of war during last 30 years have given enormous operational experience with resultant improvement in system reliability. The joint operations of forces of various countries with different types of UAVs have prompted the development of Common/ Universal Ground control station with international standards for interfaces and communication systems. The need to integrate UAVs with other weapon platforms for dissemination of information has resulted in UAVs becoming a part of Network Centric Warfare (NCW) infrastructure that includes global communication network. The result is the capability to operate and exploit UAVs from control centers located across the world, as witnessed in vital operations such as the killing of Osama Bin-Laden

The experience of various militaries in the operation of UAVs has been typical of any nascent technology induction characterised by high failure rates. The failure rate of Hunter UAV system when newly inducted byUSAin mid-‘90s was very high and necessitated a separate product improvement exercise. Even now, the reported failure rate of Predator UAVs is a concern in view of their high cost. However, the improvements in the technology are making the UAVs more and more robust.

Amidst singing paeans, extolling the virtues of the UAVs, their short comings get blurred. Compared to manned aircrafts, the UAVs are notoriously less reliable and are prone to accidents. While they are successful in situations where the side deploying the UAV has overwhelming air superiority, they are yet to be tested in conflicts involving two equally capable adversaries. The UAVs as a rule do not have any threat detection capability as well as quick “get away” capability. Generally they don’t have self protection capability and are vulnerable to effective enemy air defense retaliation. The absence of ‘sense and avoid’ capability is a serious limitation restricting UAVs operations in the civilian airspace environment. Even with all these limitations, UAVs are still considered a force multiplier as they can make a significant impact on the outcome of conflicts.


UAV operations in India

Aerial Targets

The UAV operations inIndiabegan in late ‘70s with the induction of aerial target systems for training their air defense system crew. The Army inducted KD2R5 a low speed aerial target while Air force and Navy inducted Chukar II and Chukar III aerial target systems respectively. While KD2R5 and Chukar II were vintage systems with limited capability to fly beyond visual range, Chukar III was a system that could be flown for a longer range and more demanding flight profiles. The use of the imported systems gave the services experience in operating the aerial targets from land /ship. The main lessons learnt from the operation of the aerial target systems are the importance of training simulators/other aids for training the operators and that of a sustainable product support mechanism. The services faced considerable difficulties in getting product support due to the closure of the firms supplying spares or due to government restrictions.

DRDO’s Lakshya-1 aerial target system has been in operation with all the three services for well over a decade. The services have been using Lakshya-1 system regularly to train their crew and to evaluate new weapon systems inducted by them. The DRDO has been using the Lakshya-1 system to evaluate the capabilities of indigenously developed AKASH missile system. The services are experiencing the obvious benefits of an indigenous system relating to product support, through product updates, maintenance, spares supply and technical support during the flight and as well as after the flights. DRDO’s Lakshya-2 is a much improved version of Lakshya-1 aerial target system and has advanced features such as fully autonomous flight, sea skimming capability (15 meters above sea level), mobile configuration for army operations, ability to fly two targets at a time, automated test equipment for testing aircraft, and a sophisticated ground control station incorporating redundancy features to enhance system availability. DRDO is now in the process of developing a low cost expendable aerial target system known as ABHYAS to meet the requirement of all the three services.

UAV operations

India, like many other countries, operates imported UAVs while trying to develop UAVs indigenously. Indian Army introduced Searcher MK I UAVs fromIsraelin mid-‘90s for Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target acquisition roles. The aftermath of Kargil conflict saw the introduction of Searcher MKII UAVs and a more capable Heron UAVs by the Army, Navy and the Air Force. Searcher Mk II and Heron UAVs boast of higher altitude ceiling, endurance as well as larger payload capability. Their payload suite includes Electro–optic sensors, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Maritime Patrol Radar, ELINT and COMINT Payloads. The Heron UAV which belongs to the MALE (Minimum Altitude, Long Endurance) UAV category can carry multiple payloads at the same time and has much longer endurance and altitude ceiling than Searcher MK II UAV. In the absence of SATCOM link, airborne/ ground based relay systems are used to extend the operational range of these UAVs. However SATCOM facility is now available for HERON UAVs. The Army and Air Force use their UAVs in Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target acquisition roles while Navy uses the UAVs for Naval Surveillance roles.


Searcher MKII UAV

As the UAVs of Israeli origin use conventional take–off and landing approach, they operate from prepared runways and are flown by the classical External and Internal Pilot combination. While these UAVs have the advantages of quick turnaround time between flights, they are constrained in their operations due to cross-wind limitations during take-off and landing which at times can be severe. The availability of scaled models for training the external and Internal Pilots has been a major advantage. The Services have addressed their requirement of continuous training by the establishment of a UAV training establishment. Conventionally, the payload operators are trained while on the job. The use of a variety of payloads in UAVs has emphasised the need for targeted training of payload operators. These days, full mission UAV simulators which include simulators for payloads are available to train payload operators.

The issue of product support for imported UAVs appears to have been addressed by associating public sector industries such as Hindustan Aeronautics and Bharat Electronics who have created necessary infrastructure for testing and calibration of equipments. For obvious commercial and Intellectual Property Rights considerations, the ability of these organisations to fully meet the maintenance support requirements locally is rather limited. The services apparently are supported by the OEM through on-site and factory support arrangements.


Indigenous UAVs

Indiawas one of the countries that realised the potential of the UAV technology and started its development activities early. The development of “NISHANT” UAV against an Army Qualitative Requirement was initiated in early ‘90s which specified full mobility as one of the main requirements. As is the wont in any indigenous development, the entire gamut of technologies such as air frame made of Composites, hydro-pneumatic launcher, parachute system with suitable impact attenuation system, digital flight control system, autonomous navigation system, spread spectrum communication system, stabilised Electro-optic payload system, ground control station and image processing system were developed indigenously to meet the user requirement. The culmination of this effort is the set of technologies which form the foundation for further development projects. NISHANT by virtue of its launch and recovery mechanism can operate in harsher wind conditions.


Nishant UAV

In order to develop technologies for the Medium Altitude long endurance UAV , DRDO took up the development of RUSTOM-1 UAV. This UAV derived out of a well proven manned aircraft, has features matching that of SEARCHER Mk II. Runway-takeoff and landing, Incorporation of Redundancy in Avionics system, Engineering / training simulator, sophisticated UAV integration methodology are some of the “take-aways” from the programme. This UAV currently under flight test, is a candidate for meeting the users need for a MALE UAV.


Rustom-1 UAV

The development of RUSTOM-I UAV has been a stepping stone for the more ambitious RUSTOM-II UAV meant to meet the MALE UAV requirement of the Indian Armed forces. An important aspect of RUSTOM –II programme is that it will be the first indigenous UAV to undergo formal airworthiness certification. This UAV slated to make its maiden flight in 2014 is keenly awaited by all concerned and is very significant asIndiais one of the few countries trying to develop this technology on its own.


Slybird Mini UAV

In order to provide the Infantry soldier” over the hill view “, DRDO has developed a 2kg MINI UAV “ SLY BIRD” which has the range of 10Km and endurance of 90 minutes and is equipped with a color camera or a uncooled thermal imager . The total system includes a man portable ground control station with a robust data link and advanced image processing capabilities. This UAV has been demonstrated at Leh in the upper reaches ofHimalayas. Paramilitary forces have been using UAVs (available with the Services) in their counter insurgency operations. Micro Air vehicles developed by Madras Institute of Technology, Chennai have been used for detecting unlawful mining activities and for inspection of very high structures such as Light house towers. A number of research initiatives under National Programme on Micro Air vehicles have been taken up to develop various technologies including Co-operative flying /swarm operations, micro UAVs for indoor surveillance.

No discussion of UAV is complete without the ‘headlines hogging’ armed UAVs or the futuristic Unmanned Combat UAVs (UCAV). While DRDO is currently putting in place the necessary critical technologies that will make the country self reliant on the UAVs for ISR & TA roles, there is a need to think of the long term strategy to achieve this capability which has to be achieved through one’s own intrinsic strength.


Tail Piece

The evolution of UAVs has been meteoric over the last couple of decades and presently they are an integral part of military operations and planning. Technology wise, the UAVs are being made more and more capable as well as reliable underlining the fact that they are no longer considered as expendables. While the UAVs in general have reached a certain level of standardization in the size ,range endurance etc, what will separate the leaders from the rest of the pack are the sophistication achieved in payloads, autonomy of operation and their integration in the military communication network infrastructure. This trend is likely to continue to make the UAVs more and more potent. While it is expected the use of imported UAVs in Indian context is likely to continue as in the case of manned aircrafts, It is hoped that the ongoing UAV development initiatives will lead to the indigenously developed UAVs taking their rightful place in the Indian Sky.

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