SWiFT Naval Version, Archer SR-UAV 1st Flight, Vikrant 2nd phase of sea trials

DRDO showcases Armed Archer SR-UAV

At the inaugural session of the IAF Conclave in Bengaluru, DRDO showcased short range weaponised Archer (SR-UAV) based on the proven Rustom-1 configuration with upgraded avionics architecture. According to DRDO, Archer can be used to gather near real time, high quality imagery and signals intelligence and can destroy the target of intent. Archer can operate at an altitude up to 22000 feet with an endurance of 12 hours and a range of 220km with conventional and auto take-off landing features. DRDO plans to conduct the first flight of the Archer (SR-UAV ) in the coming weeks.

Archer drawings shown in the tender documents were or much smaller UAV that was to be powered by a Turbojet engine. Archer (Rustom-1) showcased by the DRDO seems to be integrated with indigenous fire and forget Helina missile that can hit ground objects at a distance of up to four kilometer.

Picture emerge of DRDO’s SWiFT from Ground Trials

At the inaugural session of the IAF Conclave in Bengaluru, DRDO showcased the first picture of the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT) from the concluded Low and high speed that had started mid of this year. Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT) is a Technological Demonstrator project to bridge the technology gaps towards the design and development of the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft.

SWiFT is a 1 tons All Up Weight that is powered by a Russian NPO Saturn 36MT turbofan engine. SWiFT is seen equipped with a C-band link, UHF, and VHF antenna. DRDO plans to develop a stealth uav powered by a 46 kilo Newton Dry Kaveri engine with a 13 tons All Up Weight for deep strike missions over hostile and heavily contested air space.

Both Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy are supporting the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft program that will likely enter production around 2030 onwards. The Navy also has plans to develop a deck-based variant of the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft.

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant begins second phase of sea trials

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant set sail on Sunday for the second sea trials, ahead of its planned induction into the Indian Navy by August next year. The 40,000 tons aircraft carrier, the largest and most complex warship to be built in India, successfully completed a five day maiden sea voyage in August. Following the first sea trials, the Navy had said that the performance of key systems of the warship was found to be satisfactory.

Indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant sailed out on Sunday from Kochi for the second sea trials. The warship has been built at a cost of around Rs 23,000 crore and its construction propelled India into a select group of countries having capabilities to build state of the art aircraft carriers.

The warship will operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi role helicopters. It has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers. Vikrant has a top speed of around 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles, The IAC is 262 metres long, 62 metres wide and it has a height of 59 metres.

The Indian Navy has been focusing on significantly bolstering its overall capabilities in view of China’s growing efforts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to the country’s strategic interests.