Indian Air Force eyes surveillance UAVs flying in stratosphere
The Indian Airforce is keen on acquiring three
high-altitude platform system
(HAPS) aircraft, which are
unmanned aerial vehicles
or 'pseudo-satellites' operating in the stratosphere for long durations for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, TOI reported.
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"Capable of operating at an altitude of about 20km, which is much higher than the flightpaths of commercial planes, the HAPS aircraft will be used for persistent ISR as well as act as airborne data relay for other unmanned platforms for electronic and communications intelligence," an officer told TOI.
IAF has issued an initial request for information (RIF) for vendors to submit their responses by June 20 amid heightened tensions with Pakistan and a de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control with China.
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HAPS aircraft are generally solar powered and are considered to be much cheaper to deploy and operate compared to satellites. "Capable of automatic take-off and landing, HAPS aircraft do not require launch vehicles or rockets like satellites. They can be deployed from different locations as well as repaired and maintained easily as compared to satellites," the officer said.
The IAF wants HAPS aircraft to have a minimum operational endurance of 48 hours with data links and telemetry range of at least 150 km in a "line of sight" environment while it is also seeking launch-on-demand satellites.
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"The desirable Satcom (satellite communication) is at least 400 km," the RFI said.
The aircraft should come with a detection range of at least 50 km from operating altitude and must with electro-optical and infrared cameras as well as electronic and communication intelligence payloads. They should be capable of effectively operating even during night and low-visibility conditions.
"The complete delivery is expected to be completed in 18 months from the date of the contract," the RFI added.
The IAF is also pursuing a case for three ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance) aircraft to provide accurate "actionable intelligence" acquired through synthetic aperture radars, electro-optical and infrared sensors.
Under the much-touted Defence Technology and Trade Initiative between India and the US, ISTAR platforms were among the different projects identified for co-development and co-production.
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