UAV TRENDS

Analysing the shifts and challenges in Military Drone Technology and exploring Evolving Trends in Military Unmanned Aerial Systems

- AIR MARSHAL ANIL CHOPRA

THE FUTURE OF AVIATION IS CLEARLY UNMANNED. WITH THE advent of aerial automation, and further augmented by artificial intelligence (AI), more and more military missions are today being assigned to unmanned aerial systems (UAS). All militaries are acquiring UAS and drones to undertake a variety of missions. Major Powers are having design and production set ups. Significant part of defence budgets are now being earmarked for UAS.

Under the proposed $3.5 billion mega deal, India will acquire 31 General Atomics MQ-9B high altitude, long endurance drones, with 15 SeaGuardians for Indian Navy and eight SkyGuardians each for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Indian Navy had been operating two SeaGuardian drones (unarmed variants) on lease from the American Company since 2020. The long-endurance drones supplemented the Boeing P8-I maritime patrol aircraft.

MILITARY USE OF DRONES

Militaries use drones mostly for dull, dirty, or dangerous missions. Dull being long-endurance surveillance missions; dirty could be flying into a contaminated area; and dangerous would be in a highly contested threat area. Drones have been used in military operations for several decades. In the past, they were primarily used for surveillance. However, with advances in technology, drones have become more capable and versatile. They are now used for a wide range of military operations, including combat missions.