SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Kolkata-based technology firm Drones Tech Lab has made headlines by winning the iDEX ADITI Edition 1.0 challenge, a prestigious initiative by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) aimed at fostering innovation in India’s defence sector. The firm showcased its Raptor UAV, a helicopter-launched drone, at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, marking a significant step forward in enhancing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities through Man-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T).
The iDEX ADITI Edition 1.0 challenge, launched to identify Indian startups capable of developing cutting-edge weapon systems for the IAF, sought a helicopter-launched drone with a range of over 40 km and MUM-T capabilities. Drones Tech Lab’s Raptor UAV emerged as the winner, impressing evaluators with its innovative design and ability to meet stringent requirements. The challenge emphasized compatibility with existing infrastructure, precision targeting, and advanced guidance, and the Raptor delivered on all fronts, positioning Drones Tech Lab as a leader in India’s burgeoning drone technology sector.
At Aero India 2025, the Raptor UAV was showcased as a model and through detailed presentations, highlighting its potential to extend the operational reach of IAF helicopters. One of the Raptor UAV’s key strengths is its ability to integrate seamlessly with the existing bomb racks of Mi-17 helicopters, a mainstay of the IAF’s fleet. The Mi-17 troop transporter can now launch the Raptor for ISR Roles beyond 40 km, significantly enhancing its tactical flexibility.
Drones Tech Lab officials told idrw.org that the Raptor’s launch mechanism is designed for ease of use, requiring minimal changes to the Mi-17’s infrastructure. This modularity could also extend to other helicopters, such as the Boeing AH-64 Apache and the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), both of which are critical to India’s attack helicopter fleet.
The Raptor UAV is equipped with an Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) head, enabling precise target acquisition in various conditions, day or night. This capability is crucial for operations in complex environments, where visibility and accuracy are paramount. The drone can operate effectively even in GPS-denied environments, relying on advanced navigation systems and scene-matching algorithms to maintain its course and strike targets with high precision.
Another standout feature is the Pilot-in-the-Loop (PIL) control, which allows helicopter pilots to guide the drone during missions and receive real-time video feeds for enhanced situational awareness. This human-in-the-loop approach ensures that pilots can make critical decisions on the fly, adjusting the drone’s trajectory or target based on evolving battlefield conditions.
The Raptor UAV’s technical specifications include a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 92 kg, it strikes a balance between portability and payload capacity, carrying over 30 kg of sensors. Its cruise speed of 115.3 kmph and a maximum speed of 144 kmph allow for rapid deployment and responsiveness, while its range of over 40 km ensures it can do its ISR Roles well beyond the helicopter’s direct line of sight. The service ceiling of 7,000 meters above mean sea level (MSL) enables operations at high altitudes, making it suitable for diverse geographical and climatic conditions across India.
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