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Abstract
Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) have developed into indispensable war fighting assets of modern battlefield. UAVs play a pivotal role in sharing and disseminating strategic information in a Network-centric war scenario. The fusion of the data obtained from different sensors/ payloads further helps enhance situational awareness and enables quicker sensor-to-shooter reactions. There is a marked shift in the importance given to the Unmanned Air Systems development world-wide with significant increases in budget allocations. From Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) to Unmanned Combat Aircraft, each type of UAV plays a distinct role at the same time presenting unique technological challenges. The paper discusses the present state of, and future trends in, various UAV platforms as well as sensor payloads carried by them and also highlights challenges in the related technologies. It also describes the ongoing UAV programs and technology competence built up by DRDO.
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References
- Bill Sweetman., "UCAVs oFfer Fast Track to Stealth, Long Range and Carrier Operation", Janes International Defence Review, January 2007, pp. 40-45.
- Don Herskovitz., "A Sampling of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles", Journal of Electronic Defence, July 1999, pp. 55-60.
- Arthur K. Cebrowski., "Network Centric Warfare", Military Technologies, MILTECH 5/2003, pp. 16- 22.
- John Erbetta., "Interoperability and Net-Centricity", Military Technology, MILTECH 5/2003, pp. 23- 28.
- Richard T. Antony., "Principles of Effective Multisensor Data Fusion", Military Technology, MILTECH 5/2003, pp. 24-36.
- David Alexander., "Cyber War Comes of Age", Military Technology, MILTECH 3/2008, pp. 78-85.
- Larry Dickerson., "Calling AU UAVs", Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 2008, pp. 110- 113.
- Jones, R.I., "The Design Challenges of High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aircraft", The Aeronautical Journal, June 1999, pp. 273-280.
- Campell Henderson., Edward McQuillen and Larry Lehman., "High Altitude Long Endurance RPV Design Technology Study", Unmanned Systems, Winter 1986, pp. 16-41.
- Jacob, K.A., "Evolving UAV Systems and Design Challenges", Seminar on Aerospace Systems, 52nd Annual General Meeting, Aeronautical Society of India, 21-22 January 2001.
- DRDO/ADE Reports on UAV programs.
References
Bill Sweetman., "UCAVs oFfer Fast Track to Stealth, Long Range and Carrier Operation", Janes International Defence Review, January 2007, pp. 40-45.
Don Herskovitz., "A Sampling of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles", Journal of Electronic Defence, July 1999, pp. 55-60.
Arthur K. Cebrowski., "Network Centric Warfare", Military Technologies, MILTECH 5/2003, pp. 16- 22.
John Erbetta., "Interoperability and Net-Centricity", Military Technology, MILTECH 5/2003, pp. 23- 28.
Richard T. Antony., "Principles of Effective Multisensor Data Fusion", Military Technology, MILTECH 5/2003, pp. 24-36.
David Alexander., "Cyber War Comes of Age", Military Technology, MILTECH 3/2008, pp. 78-85.
Larry Dickerson., "Calling AU UAVs", Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 2008, pp. 110- 113.
Jones, R.I., "The Design Challenges of High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aircraft", The Aeronautical Journal, June 1999, pp. 273-280.
Campell Henderson., Edward McQuillen and Larry Lehman., "High Altitude Long Endurance RPV Design Technology Study", Unmanned Systems, Winter 1986, pp. 16-41.
Jacob, K.A., "Evolving UAV Systems and Design Challenges", Seminar on Aerospace Systems, 52nd Annual General Meeting, Aeronautical Society of India, 21-22 January 2001.
DRDO/ADE Reports on UAV programs.