SOURCE: AFI
Drones Tech Lab, a Kolkata-based technology firm, has emerged as the winner of the iDEX ADITI 1.0 challenge, a prestigious initiative aimed at fostering innovation in India’s defense sector. The company’s groundbreaking development of a helicopter-launched weaponized drone has earned them recognition and support from the Ministry of Defense (MoD).
The iDEX ADITI Edition 1.0 challenge, launched by the MoD, sought to identify Indian startups capable of creating a cutting-edge weapon system for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The desired system was a helicopter-launched drone equipped with Man-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capability with a range of 40km.
Drones Tech Lab’s winning solution addresses several key requirements outlined in the challenge:
- Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure: The drone and its launch mechanism must seamlessly integrate with the existing bomb racks of Mi-17 helicopters.
- Precision Targeting: The system should deliver payloads with a high degree of accuracy, achieving a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 5 meters, with a target of less than 3 meters being ideal.
- Advanced Guidance and Navigation: The drone should be equipped with an Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) head for target acquisition and operate effectively even in GPS-denied environments.
- Pilot Control and Video Relay: The system should allow for Pilot-in-the-Loop (PIL) control, enabling pilots to guide the drone during missions and receive real-time video feeds for enhanced situational awareness.
- Multiple Drone Communication: A single control station should be capable of managing multiple drones launched from a single helicopter.
- Modular Design for Ease of Use: The drones should be easily maintainable, handleable, and storable on helicopter straps in harsh environments. They should also be environmentally sealed to withstand various weather conditions during transport and operation.
The victory of Drones Tech Lab in the iDEX ADITI 1.0 challenge is a significant milestone for Indian innovation in the defense sector. Their development of a helicopter-launched weaponized drone has the potential to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force and contribute to national security.