Source : Indian Defence Analysis
Indian Air Force FTC officers completes training on Tapas BH-201 RPA
The images what you are seeing are from Aeronautical Testing Range, Chitradurga, where we could see at least 3 Tapas-BH RPAs. The Indian Air Force officials has visited the facility as a part of their final phase of FTC (Flight Testing Center) curriculum where they have undergone an intensive Short Capsule course on RPA and UAS at ADE, Bangalore. This advanced program was aimed at providing the FTC officers with comprehensive insights into the details of Design, Development and Testing of RPAs and their ecosystems. The training of Indian Air Force FTC offices on Tapas is a positive indication for the indigenous RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) program.
During Aero India show 2023, the entire air coverage was provided by Tapas and the video for the same you can see on your screen. The RPA has taken off from Chitradurga which is approximately 180 km away from Bangalore and it was streaming live video feed of Aero India show from an altitude of 15,000 ft.
The final phase of the FTC curriculum culminated with an intensive ‘Short Capsule course on RPA and UAS at ADE,Bangalore.
This advanced program provided FTC officers with comprehensive insights into the intricacies of Design,Development and Testing of RPAs and their ecosystems. pic.twitter.com/ctg9yLOBuS— Indian Air Force Test Pilots School (@IAFTPS) May 18, 2023
TAPAS BH-201
Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance-Beyond Horizon-201 or TAPAS BH-201 is a completely indigenous MALE UAV. Every system that goes into the bird including engine is indigenous. The UAV features jam resistant data link system that enables the UAV to operate beyond the line of sight up to 1,000 kilometres.
Some of the important features of Tapas is robustness, reliability, secure data links, autonomous take-off and landing, and advanced ground control station. The same advanced ground control station can be used to fly other indigenous UAVs which will be Archer NG and Short-Range Weaponized UAV (SR-UAV). This approach is going to reduce overall life cycle cost of Tapas and other indigenous UAV platforms.
Tapas will be able to operate at altitudes of up to 28000 feet, with an endurance of 18 plus hours. It is a highly reliable UAV with fail safe architecture employing redundant indigenous Hi-Rel subsystems. The ground operation suite is reconfigurable and highly advanced state of the art system for current as well as future UAVs.
The UAV has a range of 250 km and can carry payload of up to 350 kg. It is integrated with SATCOM and can carry EO/SAR & EW Payload.
The UAV has been tested for more than 170+ flights with different payloads and mission profiles. The user trials of Tapas is planned from 2nd quarter of 2023.
The other two indigenous UAV under development are Archer NG and Short-Range Weaponized UAV (SR-UAV).
Archer NG
Archer NG is going to be a Single Engine Twin Boom (SETB) UAV designed to perform ISTAR and strike missions. It will have LoS range of 250 km and BLoS of 1000 km. It can operate upto an altitude of 30,000ft with an endurance of 18+ hours. Archer NG will be able to carry 300 kg of weapons payload which will include smart anti-airfield weapon (SAAW) & anti-tank guided missile.
It is integrated with SATCOM and can carry EO/SAR & EW Payload. The maiden flight trial of the UAV is planned in July 2023.
Short-Range UAV(Weaponized)
Short-Range Weaponized UAV (SR-UAV) is DRDO’s rebranded the Archer UAV. The UAV will be able to gather near real-time, high-quality imagery and signals intelligence and with light attack capability. It could possibly carry two ATGMs. The UAV will be able to operate at an altitude of 22,000 ft with an endurance of 12 hours and range of 250 kms. At present the UAV is under validation phase of upgraded avionics architecture through flight trials & release of ATGM missiles.
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