DRDO Ghatak

{{Short description|Indian autonomous combat aerial vehicle}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = Ghatak | logo = | logo_size = | image = Autonomous_Flying_wing_Tech.jpg | alt = | caption = Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, a subscale version, used as a technology demonstrator for DRDO Ghatak | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Stealth Unmanned Combat aerial Vehicle | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = India | manufacturer = | design_group = | designer = {{ubl |Aeronautical Development Agency |Aeronautical Development Establishment }} | builder = | issuer = | status = Under development | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 2 downscale prototypes | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 1 July 2022 (prototype) | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

'''''Ghatak''''' (pronounced: gʰɑːt̪ək; ''lit.'' '''Deadly''' in Sanskrit){{efn|from Hindi/Sanskrit 'घातक' (romanised: ''ghātaka'') meaning 'killer', 'deadly'}}, earlier designated as '''Indian Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle''', is an autonomous jet powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), being developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation for the Indian Armed Forces. The design work on the UCAV is carried out by the Aeronautical Development Agency of the Ministry of Defence. The UCAV's design is based on a flying-wing concept and it is powered by a turbofan engine. It is expected to have internal weapons bay capable of carrying missiles, bombs and precision-guided munitions. The first flight of a scaled down prototype was carried out in July 2022, with further tests in 2023.

== Design and development == === Background and planning === The Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft project was commissioned in 2009 to carryout a feasibility study for the development of an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) for the Indian Armed Forces. It was taken up by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).<ref>{{cite news |title=India to develop unmanned combat aerial vehicle |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-to-develop-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle/story-gnfRezY6tbKLDa3mtkUdmI.html |work=The Hindustan Times |agency=IANS |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=29 December 2017 |archive-date=29 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229113001/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-to-develop-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle/story-gnfRezY6tbKLDa3mtkUdmI.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/india-developing-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle-76307-2010-06-09 |title=India developing unmanned combat aerial vehicle |work=India Today |date=10 June 2010 |access-date=28 January 2012 |archive-date=30 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730041845/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/100966/India/india-developing-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2010, the Indian Air Force submitted a request for information to international suppliers for UCAVs with a low-radar cross-section, high service ceiling, an expected range of {{cvt|500|nmi}} and the capability to carry precision-guided weapons.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 July 2010 |title=India canvasses global suppliers for stealthy UCAV |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/07/07/344140/india-canvasses-global-suppliers-for-stealthy-ucav.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710130423/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/07/07/344140/india-canvasses-global-suppliers-for-stealthy-ucav.html |archive-date=10 July 2010 |access-date=12 July 2010 |work=FlightGlobal}}</ref> In 2016, a project to develop a scaled down technology demonstrator named Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT), was sanctioned at a cost of {{INRConvert|700|m|year=2016}}.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 December 2023 |title=US-made Predator delayed, how India is developing own combat drone |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/us-made-predator-delayed-how-india-is-developing-own-combat-drone-2478415-2023-12-20?utm_source=washare&utm_medium=socialicons&utm_campaign=shareurltracking |access-date=26 October 2024 |work=India Today }}</ref> The ADE was tasked with the development of this scaled down prototype,<ref name="Onm">{{cite web |last=Krishnan M |first=Anantha |date=10 January 2021 |title=ADE steps into new decade with planeloads of critical projects |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2021/01/09/ade-steps-into-new-decade-with-planeloads-of-critical-projects.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110041253/https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2021/01/09/ade-steps-into-new-decade-with-planeloads-of-critical-projects.html |archive-date=10 January 2021 |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=OnManorama }}</ref> and according to the DRDO, the SWiFT is intended to develop and demonstrate technologies for controlling the flying-wing configuration and flight characteristics at high-subsonic speeds.<ref name="Week">{{cite web |date=29 October 2021 |title=DRDO's stealth attack UAV back in focus as footage of demonstrator emerges |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/10/29/drdo-stealth-attack-uav-back-in-focus-as-footage-of-demonstrator-emerges0.html |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=The Week |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703062427/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/10/29/drdo-stealth-attack-uav-back-in-focus-as-footage-of-demonstrator-emerges0.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== SWiFT protypes === thumb|Maiden flight of SWiFT on 1 July 2022

Two prototypes were developed, with the first prototype featuring a flying-wing design with no tail fin, while the second featured a vertical stabilizer.<ref name="Janes"/> The ground trials of the SWiFT Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) began in June 2021.<ref name="Week" /> The airframe, undercarriage, flight control system, and avionics for the UAV were developed indigenously.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=1 July 2022 |title=DRDO flight tests new autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-flight-tests-new-autonomous-flying-wing-technology-demonstrator/article65589041.ece |access-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702064235/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-flight-tests-new-autonomous-flying-wing-technology-demonstrator/article65589041.ece |archive-date=2 July 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The second prototype, which was designated as the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, was tested successfully on 1 July 2022.<ref name="Janes">{{cite news |last1=Kadidal |first1=Akhil |last2=Parakala |first2=Akshara |date=4 July 2022 |title=DRDO successfully test flies flying-wing UCAV |url=https://www.janes.com/amp/drdo-successfully-test-flies-flying-wing-ucav/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124013901/https://www.janes.com/amp/drdo-successfully-test-flies-flying-wing-ucav/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 |archive-date=24 November 2022 |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=Janes Information Services }}</ref><ref name="PIB">{{cite press release |title=DRDO carries out successful flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV |date=15 December 2023 |work=Press Information Bureau |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1986788 |access-date=1 June 2025 }}</ref> According to DRDO, the aircraft performed as intended while operating in a fully autonomous mode.<ref>{{cite press release |title=DRDO conducts successful maiden flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator |date=1 July 2021 |work=Press Information Bureau |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1838507 |access-date=1 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Alex Philip |first=Snehesh |date=1 July 2022 |title='Major milestone': India conducts maiden flight of unmanned aircraft demonstrator |url=https://theprint.in/defence/major-milestone-india-conducts-maiden-flight-of-unmanned-aircraft-demonstrator/1020170/ |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=ThePrint |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702085001/https://theprint.in/defence/major-milestone-india-conducts-maiden-flight-of-unmanned-aircraft-demonstrator/1020170/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The SWiFT UAV has an airframe made of carbon composites, and is {{cvt|4|m}}-long and has a wingspan of {{cvt|5|m}}.<ref name="AIR">{{cite news |date=23 June 2021 |title=DRDO initiates the trials of advanced stealth SWiFT drone |url=https://newsonair.com/2021/06/23/drdo-initiates-the-trails-of-advanced-stealth-swift-drone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830085529/https://newsonair.com/2021/06/23/drdo-initiates-the-trails-of-advanced-stealth-swift-drone/ |archive-date=30 August 2021 |access-date=30 August 2021 |work=All India Radio }}</ref><ref name="ITV">{{cite news |last=Jaiswal |first=Arushi |last2=Prasad |first2=Manish |date=15 December 2023 |title=DRDO successfully conducts flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/drdo-successfully-conducts-flight-trial-of-autonomous-flying-wing-technology-demonstrator-video-watch-2023-12-15-907461 |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=India TV }}</ref> It weighed about {{cvt|1|tonne}}, and was powered by a Russian TRDD-50MT turbofan engine, originally designed for cruise missiles.<ref name="Hindu" /> The SWiFT was also intended to be a precursor to the unmanned wingman bomber program.<ref name="AIR"/>

=== Developmental testing === [[File:Ghatak Scaled Down Model at ASTE.jpg|thumb|Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh inspecting the scale model in 2025]]

The DRDO subsequently conducted six developmental test flights of the UAV in 2023.<ref name="ITV"/><ref name="DRDO">{{cite report |date=10 October 2025 |title=2023-24 Annual Report |url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR_2023-24-new-23-9-2025.pdf |access-date=10 October 2025 |work=Ministry of Defence, Government of India |page=201}}</ref><ref name="PIB1">{{cite press release|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1986788&reg=3&lang=2|title=DRDO carries out successful flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV|date=15 December 2023|access-date=1 June 2025|work=Press Information Bureau}}</ref> The seventh test flight was conducted at the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range in December 2023, with the final configuration. It involved an upgraded prototype with no tail fin, improved avionics and control systems, and featured an advanced ground control station. With the use of onboard sensor data and GPS-aided GEO augmented navigation, the testing demonstrated autonomous landing without the requirement of ground based radars or manual control.<ref name="ITV"/><ref name="PIB1"/> According to the DRDO, the various tests were used to test high-speed automatic takeoff and landing, stealth characteristics, control of the flying wing configuration, autonomous flying, and integration of monitoring and evaluation systems.<ref name="DRDO"/>

=== Project Ghatak === The UCAV project had been designated as project Ghatak.<ref name="Janes"/> According to a press release in 2017, an initial funding of {{INRConvert|23100|c|year=2016|mode=historical}} was allocated in 2016 for the lead-in design of Project Ghatak and development of critical technologies for the Ghatak and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=158007|title=DRDO Projects|date=3 February 2017|work=Ministry of Defence|via=Press Information Bureau|access-date=28 October 2019|archive-date=5 March 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260305134446/https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=158007&reg=3&lang=2|url-status=live}}</ref> While it primarily intended for the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy also expressed interested in the project, and is keen on acquiring deck based UCAVs for aircraft carriers and Landing Platform Docks.<ref name="Onm"/> The Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap 2025 of the defence ministry cited the possible acquisition of up to 100 units of stealth UCAVs for the Indian Air Force and up to 50 units for the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite report |title=Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap |url=https://www.mod.gov.in/dod/sites/default/files/FINAL-TPCR-2025.pdf |access-date=5 March 2026 |work=Ministry of Defence |page=122}}</ref> The acquisition of Ghatak UCAVs is also outlined in the Vision 2047 of the Indian Air Force.<ref name="BS" /><ref name="Kaveri">{{cite web |title=Kaveri engine to fly soon? Ghatak drone procurement talks bring renewed focus on India's indigenous jet engine |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/defence/2026/03/04/kaveri-engine-to-fly-soon-ghatak-drone-procurement-talks-bring-renewed-focus-on-indias-indigenous-jet-engine.html |access-date=5 March 2026 |work=The Week |date=4 March 2026|last=George|first=Jose K}}</ref>

On 3 March 2026, the Defence Procurement Board cleared the development phase of the Ghatak Project, and recommended the acquisition of 60 Ghatak drones, the proposal of which has to be approved by the Defence Acquisition Council led by the defence minister.<ref name="BS">{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Bhaswar |date=4 March 2026 |title=DRDO's Ghatak combat drone programme gathers pace; 60 units planned |url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/drdo-s-ghatak-combat-drone-programme-gathers-pace-60-units-planned-126030301087_1.html |access-date=5 March 2026 |work=Business Standard}}</ref> On 27 March 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by the Defence Minister, cleared the procurement of 60 Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA).<ref>{{cite press release |title=DAC clears proposals worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore to augment defence capabilities |date=27 March 2026 |work=Press Information Bureau |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2246125&reg=3&lang=1 |access-date=27 March 2026 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 March 2026 |title=DAC likely to clear major deals for S-400, Unmanned Combat Jets, BrahMos cruise missiles; transport aircraft today |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/dac-likely-to-clear-major-deals-for-s-400-unmanned-combat-jets-brahmos-cruise-missiles-transport-aircraft-today20260327104220/ |access-date=27 March 2026 |work=ANI News }}</ref> The RPSA programme, which was earlier designated as project Ghatak, would be implemented under the Development cum Production Partner programme by the DRDO, at an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|39000|c|year=2026}}. The winning bidder is expected to develop six prototypes at a cost of {{INRConvert|10000|c|year=2026}}, and the UCAVs, which would be based on the Ghatak protoypes, are expected to be powered by jet engines and equipped with Astra long-range air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground systems being developed by the DRDO.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pubby |first=Manu |date=1 April 2026 |title=India’s Ghatak reboot: Rs 39,000 crore stealth drone project gets green light |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indias-ghatak-reboot-rs-39000-crore-stealth-drone-project-gets-green-light/articleshow/129934804.cms |access-date=3 April 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |number=2039319319281381553 |user=NewsIADN |title=DRDO will adopt the DcPP model for production of 60 Ghatak UCAVs worth ₹39,000 crore ($4.1 Billion) |date=1 April 2026 |access-date=2 April 2026}}</ref>

==Design== [[File:Autonomous Flying Wing Technology (AFWT) Demonstrator successfully flight test from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka on December 15, 2023.jpg|thumb|The Ghatak will feature a flying-wing design similar to the prototype (pictured)]]

The Ghatak is an autonomous jet powered UCAV. The aircraft will feature a carbon composite frame with stealth characteristics and will be powered by a variant of the Kaveri afterburning turbofan engine.<ref name="Hindu"/><ref>{{cite news |date=30 July 2015 |title=Indigenous Kaveri engine to power Unmanned Combat Aircraft |work=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indigenous-kaveri-engine-to-power-unmanned-combat-aircraft-115073001331_1.html |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=29 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129043644/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indigenous-kaveri-engine-to-power-unmanned-combat-aircraft-115073001331_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It will have a flying wing configuration, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).<ref name="Janes"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-indias-quest-for-high-calibre-military-uavs-is-still-in-its-infancy-2931909/|title=India’s quest for high-calibre military UAVs is still in its infancy|date=30 December 2022|access-date=1 June 2025|work=Financial Express}}</ref> It will be developed in a public–private partnership.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pubby |first=Manu |title=Government set to clear Rs 3,000 crore plan to develop engine for India's first UCAV |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/government-set-to-clear-rs-3000-crore-plan-to-develop-engine-for-indias-first-ucav/articleshow/49775096.cms?from=mdr |access-date=3 July 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703093144/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/government-set-to-clear-rs-3000-crore-plan-to-develop-engine-for-indias-first-ucav/articleshow/49775096.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref> The flight control system and data link packages would be developed by the ADA and Defence Electronics Application Laboratory.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ghosh|first1=Anirvan|title=We never had a single failure in 1,500 flights of Tejas: ADE|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/sunday-et/people--places/we-never-had-a-single-failure-in-1500-flights-of-tejas-ade/articleshow/7294743.cms|access-date=28 January 2012|work=The Economic Times|date=17 January 2011|archive-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015181003/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/sunday-et/people--places/we-never-had-a-single-failure-in-1500-flights-of-tejas-ade/articleshow/7294743.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> As per the DRDO, the UCAV will be highly intelligent drones with on-board mission computers, fire control radars, identification of friend or foe, and collision avoidance systems. It would weigh less than {{cvt|15|tonnes}}, and would have a flying ceiling of {{cvt|30,000|ft|m|order=flip}}. The aircraft will have a capability to carry various missiles, bombs and precision guided munitions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pandit|first1=Rajat|title=India quietly begins combat drone project|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/India-quietly-begins-combat-drone-project/articleshow/7941545.cms|work=The Economic Times|date=11 April 2011|access-date=29 December 2017|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112807/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/India-quietly-begins-combat-drone-project/articleshow/7941545.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also== '''Related development''' * DRDO Rustom '''Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era''' * BAE Taranis * Boeing Phantom Ray * Boeing X-45 * Dassault nEUROn * Mikoyan Skat * Lockheed Martin Polecat * Northrop Grumman X-47 * Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik * TAI Anka-3

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links==

AURA Category:Unmanned military aircraft of India Category:Unmanned stealth aircraft Category:Drone warfare Category:Post–Cold War military equipment of India Category:Tailless delta-wing aircraft