SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is laying the groundwork for a transformative leap in unmanned warfare, with plans to develop a supersonic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) boasting a massive 4-ton internal weapons bay (IBW) capacity and supercruise capability.
This ambitious vision, revealed through sources cited by idrw.org, complements the IAF’s ongoing commitment to kick-start the Aeronautical Development Establishment’s (ADE) proposed Ghatak UCAV—a 13-ton stealth platform with a 1.5-ton IBW. Together, these initiatives signal the IAF’s long-term strategy to field advanced, low-observable UCAVs capable of dominating future battlefields, though the supersonic variant remains a distant goal, potentially 10-15 years away.
The Ghatak UCAV, a stealth-focused unmanned platform proposed by ADE under the DRDO, is the IAF’s near-term focus. With a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 13 tons and an internal weapons bay capacity of approximately 1.5 tons, Ghatak is designed for deep-penetration strikes and reconnaissance missions. Its stealth features—low radar cross-section (RCS), infrared suppression, and aerodynamic shaping—aim to evade enemy air defenses, making it ideal for operations along contested borders like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) or Line of Control (LoC).
The IAF is keen to accelerate Ghatak’s development, building on ADE’s prior work with the Rustom series and the stealth technology demonstrator, SWiFT (Stealth Wing Flying Testbed), which flew in 2022. Ghatak is expected to leverage a dry variant of the Kaveri engine (approximately 46-49kN thrust) to achieve subsonic speeds with a focus on endurance and payload delivery. The 1.5-ton IBW could house precision-guided munitions like the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) or small-diameter bombs, enhancing its role in suppressing enemy air defenses (SEAD) or striking high-value targets.
While Ghatak represents a tangible step forward, the IAF’s long-term ambition is far bolder a supersonic UCAV with supercruise capability—sustained supersonic flight without afterburners—and a 4-ton IBW. This platform, still in its conceptual infancy, would dwarf existing UCAVs like Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik (2-2.5 ton IBW) or the U.S.’s XQ-58 Valkyrie (sub-1-ton capacity). Sources told idrw.org that achieving a 4-ton IBW necessitates an MTOW of 35,000-40,000 kg (35-40 tons), placing it in a class akin to manned fighters like the Su-30 MKI or F-35.
To power this behemoth, the IAF envisions twin engines—potentially dry 73 kN variants of the AMCA’s proposed 110 kN engine, currently under negotiation with Rolls-Royce or Safran. With a combined dry thrust of 146 kN, the UCAV could achieve a thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.25 to 0.45—typical for UCAVs—enabling supercruise at speeds exceeding Mach 1.2 while maintaining fuel efficiency. This capability, paired with stealth across all spectrums (radar, infrared, and acoustic), would allow the UCAV to penetrate deep into hostile airspace, loiter briefly, and deliver devastating strikes with a 4-ton payload—think multiple SAAWs, Astra missiles, or even hypersonic weapons in development.
The supersonic UCAV’s design goals are ambitious such as Sustained Mach 1+ speeds without afterburners, reducing infrared signatures and fuel consumption. Low observability through advanced materials, shaping, and exhaust management, rivaling 5th-generation fighters. A 4-ton IBW, capable of carrying a mix of air-to-air, air-to-ground, or anti-ship munitions, offering unmatched versatility. Advanced AI for navigation, target selection, and evasion, with human-in-the-loop oversight for critical decisions.
Strategically, this UCAV would fill a critical gap in India’s arsenal. With China fielding stealth drones like the GJ-11 Sharp Sword and Russia advancing the S-70 Okhotnik, the IAF seeks a platform that can outpace and outgun regional rivals. A 35-40 ton UCAV could strike targets 1,000-1,500 km away—covering much of Pakistan or China’s Tibetan bases—while its supercruise and stealth ensure survivability against modern air defenses like the S-400.
The IAF acknowledges that no such program currently exists beyond a basic definition. As idrw.org reports, the supersonic UCAV is a long-term plan, likely 10-15 years from realization—placing induction around 2035-2040. For reference, the S-70 Okhotnik (20 tons MTOW, 2-2.5 ton IBW) took over a decade from concept to flight (2019). India’s larger, faster UCAV will require sustained funding, industry collaboration, and possibly foreign expertise—though the IAF aims to keep it indigenous.
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