Kanpur:
Three smart multi-function unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by the IIT-Kanpur have reportedly evoked a response from the Indian defence forces as they could possibly be used in military operations and are cheaper than those currently being sourced from foreign countries.
A defence team is expected to visit the institute soon to see a demonstration of the UAVs that could be used for surveillance in insurgency-hit areas as well as in battlefields for various operations. The UAVs are fitted with gadgets of various kinds, including electro-optical and thermal cameras and are ready for mass production, claimed IIT-K sources.
The first UAV has been named as SWATI or Silent Watch Aircraft For Tactical Intelligence. SWATI requires a small runway of only 50 to 80 meters to take off and can have a maximum take-off weight of 16 to 22 kgs. It could fly with either fuel or batteries. With petrol, it can stay in air for about eight hours and with batteries it has a four-hour endurance. It can keep an eye over an area of 100 kms.
Prof Philip has worked on the development of these UAVs along with Prof A K Ghosh, Prof Nischal Verma and Prof Satyaki Roy. A team of 30 students has also workedon these UAVs.
The second UAV is AMITA or Autonomous Man-packable Intelligent Tactical Aircraft and does not require a runaway to be launched. The light-weight AMITA can be carried in three backpacks. It can be hand-launched and weighs just six to eight kgs. It can remain in the air for more than three hours.
“The third UAV is solar-powered and is a bigger aircraft. A prototype of this UAV has been developed. It can get charged while flying and all its requirements would be met by solar power,” said Prof A K Ghosh adding, “75% of the power requirements of this UAV is met by solar energy, thus increasing its endurance.”
Prof Ghosh said that an expert team from defence forces is expected to come to IIT-Kanpur soon to witness the demonstration of these UAVs. He, however, declined to divulge further details.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kanpur / by Abhinav Malhotra / TNN / May 25th, 2016