SOURCE: AFI
India is making rapid strides in indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology, with the upcoming flight trials of the Archer-NG, a Weaponized Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV that promises to be a game-changer in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Tracking, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations, as well as precision-strike missions. According to Adithya Krishna Menon, a freelance defense writer, two Archer NG prototypes are currently in the fabrication stage and are expected to commence flight trials soon.
This development highlights India’s advancing capabilities in the UAV domain and its commitment to creating homegrown solutions for modern warfare requirements. Developed indigenously, the Archer NG is designed to perform in various mission profiles, operating reliably in all weather conditions and offering versatile mission capabilities for India’s armed forces.
Key Specifications and Features of the Archer NG
The Archer NG UAV is packed with a host of advanced features that make it capable of both reconnaissance and combat roles:
Wing Span and Speed: With a wingspan of 18.6 meters, the UAV has a maximum speed of 225 kilometers per hour, allowing it to cover substantial areas quickly.
Power Plant: The UAV is powered by an Austro 330EP engine, delivering 177 HP, which enables sustained performance at high altitudes.
Operational Altitude: Capable of reaching an altitude of up to 28,000 feet, the Archer NG can operate effectively in high-altitude terrains.
Endurance: With a flight endurance exceeding 18 hours, it can sustain extended missions, allowing operators to maintain situational awareness over critical areas for prolonged periods.
Command Range: The UAV has a Line-of-Sight (LoS) operational range of 250 kilometers and an impressive Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) range of 1,000 kilometers through SATCOM connectivity.
Payload Capacity: It boasts a payload capacity of 350 kilograms, enabling it to carry sophisticated ISR equipment and combat stores, offering flexibility in mission configuration.
Takeoff and Landing: Equipped with both conventional and automatic takeoff and landing capabilities, the Archer NG can operate with high versatility in different environments.
The Archer NG’s extensive payload capacity and configuration flexibility make it suitable for a range of critical mission types:
Situational Awareness: Features like Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), and Ultra-Compact Radar (UCR) enhance its ability to operate securely in complex airspaces.
Surveillance & Reconnaissance: It carries state-of-the-art payloads, including Medium and Long-Range Electro-Optics (MREO, LREO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or Maritime Patrol Airborne Radar (MPAR), enabling it to gather high-resolution imagery and track ground and maritime targets in real-time.
Intelligence Gathering: Archer NG is equipped for both Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Communications Intelligence (COMINT), providing critical data on adversary positions, communication links, and radar installations.
Archer NG is not limited to reconnaissance; it can carry and deploy weapon systems, making it a formidable asset for precision-strike missions. With four hardpoints supporting up to 300 kg of combat payload, it is capable of carrying a variety of munitions, enabling it to neutralize high-value targets with accuracy. This weapon-carrying capacity adds a significant combat dimension to the UAV’s mission capabilities, transforming it from a surveillance tool into a powerful offensive weapon.
Designed for all-weather, day-and-night operations, the Archer NG provides the Indian military with flexibility in deployment. It can be deployed for intelligence gathering, situational monitoring, or direct strike missions under diverse conditions, making it a highly versatile platform that can fulfill a broad spectrum of operational needs.
The Archer NG’s development and upcoming flight trials mark a major step in India’s goal of achieving self-reliance in advanced defense technology. By integrating cutting-edge ISR and combat features into a single platform, the Archer NG positions India on the global map as a developer of sophisticated, indigenous UAV technology that meets the demands of modern warfare. Furthermore, this development reflects India’s growing confidence in meeting not only domestic defense requirements but potentially those of friendly foreign nations as well.