UAV by city SMEs to be showcased at Delhi Defexpo

Speaking to The Indian Express,DS Kamlapurkar,former president,Defence Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (DEMA),an association of SMEs in defence sector and manufacturers of the equipment said,“A number of agencies including the paramilitary forces have shown interest in the UAV. Defexpo is a good platform as the user actually gets to see the product and a one-to-one interaction is possible with the end user. Our team will be stationed at the capital during the four-day event.”

With a packing set that weighs 2.5 kg,the UAV can be backpacked and hand launched by the user from the destined location. The battery-operated and electrically propelled unit has a maximum speed of 50 kmph and can endure up to 45 minutes. The maximum altitude that it can fly up to is 1,500 meters above the ground level.

It is equipped with a way point based GPS system,2.4 GHz and 900 Mhz radio links and day use CCD camera. The UAV has a range of 10 km and can be provided with additional equipment such as extended range,endurance,night vision camera (the first ever in the country),pan and tilt camera and digital link. “Given the size and the ease of operations,this is the most suitable option for the Armed Forces to survey the region,carry out anti-insurgency missions,customs and coast guard missions,police and homeland security and so on. Applications such as fire fighting missions or pipeline and industrial monitoring can find use in civilian set up as well,” Kamlapurkar said.

Meanwhile,the association,which represents number of manufacturers from defence sector,has also been shortlisted by the Directorate General (DG) – Infantry for framing the specifications of an Request for Proposal (RfP). “We are one of the few firms shortlisted. While three meetings are already over,the fourth one is scheduled to take place in the third week of March. This is a welcome step by the DG – Infantry,which has encouraged participation from private players to freeze on RfP specifications,” Kamlapurkar said.