Recent reports indicate that the Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV), a joint project between India and the United States, is projected to be flight tested in 2023. This information was disclosed by the U.S. delegation at Aero India 2023, an event that also hinted at the possible showcase of the F-35 stealth aircraft.
The Prime Minister of India inaugurated Aero India 2023 on February 13. Unfolding over five days at the India Air Force station in Bengaluru, India, the event has as its theme ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’. The focus of the event is on India’s growth in aerospace and defense capabilities, with key exhibitors including Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, BrahMos Aerospace, SAAB, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
About the ALUAV Project
The ALUAV Project was initiated in 2021 when the Indian Ministry of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense signed a Project Agreement. The ALUAV is being designed to be launched from an aircraft, specifically the C130J aircraft. The development of this unique aerial vehicle is managed by the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and the Aerospace Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
A significant part of this agreement involves technology transfer, reflecting a major step forward for the relationship between India and the U.S. The two countries are continuously exploring collaborations to ensure a free, open, prosperous, connected, and resilient Indo-Pacific region where democracies can thrive.
Understanding the Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV)
An ALUAV, also known as a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is deployed from an aircraft, usually a military transport plane. The ALUAV is designed to provide aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering capabilities for the military. Typically, an ALUAV is equipped with advanced sensors and communication equipment, and it can perform operations at high altitudes for extended periods.
The Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI)
The DTTI, a bilateral program between India and the U.S., was launched in 2012 to strengthen defence ties through cooperation in military technology development and trade. This initiative promotes collaboration in defense manufacturing, research and development, and technology transfer, aiming to enhance the interoperability of military forces and promote regional stability through a robust defense partnership.
Projects within the DTTI have been categorized as short, medium, and long term. The short-term projects include Air-launched Small Unmanned Systems, LightWeight Small Arms Technology, and Intelligence-Surveillance-Targeting & Reconnaissance (ISTAR) systems. Maritime Domain Awareness Solution and Virtual Augmented Mixed Reality for Aircraft Maintenance or VAMRAM are identified as the medium-term projects. The long-term projects focus on Terrain Shaping Obstacle (lethal munitions) and an anti-drone technology known as Counter-UAS, Rocket, Artillery & Mortar (CURAM) system for the Indian Army.
