SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed that it is working on an advanced High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) class of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) designed to perform a wide range of missions, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), in the same class as the renowned Predator C Avenger. The new UCAV, still under development, is set to offer a combination of stealth design, high speed, and survivability, making it a formidable platform in high-threat environments.
With its ability to operate at higher speeds and altitudes than current UAV platforms, this HALE class UCAV will significantly enhance India’s capabilities in quick-response armed reconnaissance. The platform is expected to be a multi-mission, long-endurance, medium-to-high-altitude Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system, capable of performing wide-area surveillance, time-sensitive strike missions over both land and sea, as well as numerous other challenging military or civilian operations.
A breakthrough in the design of this HALE class UCAV is its stealth features, which will allow it to operate in higher-threat environments with greater survivability. Stealth technology will ensure that the platform can avoid detection by enemy radar and anti-aircraft systems, crucial for operating in contested airspaces or near hostile territories. This design will be especially useful for ISR missions, where remaining undetected is often a critical aspect of mission success.
HAL’s HALE UCAV will provide unprecedented flexibility, supporting a wide range of operations, including:
- Wide-area Surveillance: The platform’s high altitude and endurance capabilities will allow it to cover vast areas for ISR missions, gathering critical intelligence over long durations without the need for frequent refuelling or repositioning.
- Time-sensitive Strike Missions: Equipped with precision strike capabilities, the UCAV will be able to respond rapidly to emerging threats, delivering time-sensitive strikes in both land and maritime environments.
- Flexibility for Various Military and Civilian Roles: Beyond traditional military applications, the HALE UCAV can be adapted for civilian operations such as disaster management, border surveillance, or search-and-rescue missions, thanks to its endurance, speed, and multi-mission design.
To achieve its high-speed and long-endurance capabilities, the HALE UCAV will likely be powered by the HTFE-25 (“Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine”), a 25 kN turbofan engine but also NPO Saturn AL-55 that is license-produced is also under consideration because HTFE-25 is still under development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This engine is expected to provide the necessary thrust for the UCAV to operate at higher speeds, giving it a distinct advantage over current UAVs in the same class.
With the HTFE-25 engine, the HALE UCAV is projected to be a nearly 5-ton aircraft, marking a significant milestone in India’s aerospace industry.
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