Aero India 2023: TAPAS & Archer Drones To Cut Dependence on Israel

TAPAS is DRDO’s modality for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Tracking, and Reconnaissance) executions. UAV Archer is a weaponized drone.

At Aero India 2023, a variety of aircraft put on a multitude of exhibitions, but one eye in the sky above all of these metal birds left an impression on everyone. 

Unmanned aerial vehicle TAPAS (Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance) recorded the complete air display live from an altitude of 12,000 feet and broadcast it live, leaving the onlookers wondering who was shooting these aerial images of flying ‘Suryakirans’ and fighter jets.

The high resolution ground coverage and excellent clarity of the TAPAS video have been widely praised. Even the tarmac’s ground markings could be seen in the film. 

It is not just the high quality of video, the durability and other aspects of the UAV which has excited people in the defense sector. 

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Dr. Tessy Thomas, DG -Aeronautical Systems, DRDO, said, “We decided our capabilities had to be showcased and it was an occasion to see how effectively we capture from a distance.

The DRDO’s TAPAS programme satisfies the ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Tracking, and Reconnaissance) needs of the three services. The 18-hour endurance of the UAV allows it to fly up to 28,000 feet in the air. 

The drone, which is premised out of the DRDO facility in Chitradurga, Karnataka, can fly independently or be controlled remotely, and it can work in both light and darkness.

“We have previously demonstrated a longevity of 18 hours, but the UAV has more time to fly. The height is 28,000 feet.

 It is equipped with all current electronic payloads, allowing it to determine whether an incoming airborne object is an ally or an adversary. According to Dr. Tessy Thomas, it has all payload capabilities as well as radar and SAR sensors.

The Archer UAV is an improved variant that is being created to enhance the features in terms of durability and payload capacity. 

UAV Archer has been downsized to a single engine system and 1,000 kg lighter to improve the system. It will be a drone with weapons. 

“Our goal is to reach 30,000 feet of altitude with high performance systems using all of our capabilities and improvements. 

According to Dr. Tessy Thomas, it will be capable of line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight operation with auto takeoff and landing.

Israel is currently the sole source of advanced UAV for India. Israel has supplied the nation with Heron and Searcher-II drones. 

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India may become independent in drone-based warfare if TAPAS and Archer are successful.