Unmanned Systems Development is a rapidly evolving area, with potential to cover a wide spectrum of applications and system operating ranges. Efforts are centered around developing systems with an open architecture that can be adapted to both civilian and military markets.

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) offer a range of sensing and intervention capabilities in demanding environments. The light weight, small size vehicles with high agility and off-road capabilities can be specifically designed to carry out inspection of terrain, culverts, homes, caches or undersides of vehicles in search of IEDs, suspicious packages or hidden triggering devices. From small, hand held bots equipped with high resolution cameras that aid dismounted soldiers in any demanding covert operation, to quickly deployable medium sized, robotic systems equipped with a modular Plug & Play architecture allows the user to mount a wide range of payloads and sensors from manipulator arms, to detection and neutralization sensors as dictated by the tactical situation on the ground.

Through in-house developments and by partnering with established academia and technology houses, Indian industry has come a long way towards developing various classes of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that offer a wide range of surveillance and lift capabilities. From high endurance Tactical UAVs equipped with high resolution sensors that provide a complete picture of the ground, identifying threats and movement of the enemy on the ground from a safe stand-off, to Autonomous Heavy Lift Copters that aid in the movement of mission critical material to forward operating positions over the battle field, UAVs have seen tremendous interest in the last decade.

Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) solutions available today encompass both, supply of technology kits that can be retro-fitted to existing watercraft, making them completely autonomous with the ability to be remotely controlled over vast ranges; as well as supply of highly maneuverable autonomous craft equipped with stabilized weapons systems, surveillance systems and electro-optical tracking systems capable of monitoring both day and night by using infrared vision. USVs offer a greater capacity for surveillance, identification and interception compared to traditional coastal surveillance systems.

While the role of the industry partner is primarily as a systems integrator for the complete platform, the academia is best poised to work on more fundamental aspects related to sensor and payload development, to keep pace with emerging trends in this area and to truly fulfill the national mission of Atmanirbharta.