This document discusses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their applications in India and globally. It begins with an introduction to UAVs, describing them as uncrewed aircraft capable of controlled and sustained flight. It then discusses various types of UAVs based on their functionality and applications, such as for reconnaissance, combat, research and development, and civil/commercial uses. The document also categorizes UAVs based on their altitude and range. It focuses on India's development of UAVs through organizations like DRDO and their various applications in areas like border security, disaster management, and scientific research.

1. The UAV applications in India and Global Trend
Priyasloka Arya
Amruta Tripathy
Abstract
UAVs are in use all over the world for their roles in warfare and off the late their application in
peace, civil, commercial and scientific areas. In this paper we will discuss future of UAV
application and growth prospect in India.
Keyword
UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), DRDO (Defense Research Development Organization), RSTA
(Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquisition), SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), NOAA
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), MALE (medium altitude, long endurance),
HALE (high altitude, long endurance), ELINT (ELectronic INTelligence) and SIGINT (SIGnals
INTelligence), NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical), LCRA (Light Canard Research Aircraft),
VTOL(Vertical Take up and landing), MHPL (Mobile Hydro-Pneumatic Launcher), IAF (Indian
Air Force), PTA (Pilot less Target Aircraft)
The UAV applications in India and Global Trend ....................................................................... 1
1 Introduction................................................................................................................................ 2
1.1 UAV types depending on functionality/Generic applications of UAV ............................. 2
1.2 Classification of UAV depending on Altitude and Range................................................. 4
1.3 UAV application in India................................................................................................... 4
1.4 UAV growth and future trend in India............................................................................... 6
1.5 Industry Analysis ............................................................................................................... 7
1.6 Future Trends................................................................................................................... 10
1.7 Marketing Threats & Opportunities................................................................................. 10
1.8 Gap Analysis and Market Drive ...................................................................................... 12
1.9 Honeywell’s Foray in to UAV development and its proposal to Govt. of India ............. 12
2 Conclusions.............................................................................................................................. 13
3 Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................... 13
4 References................................................................................................................................ 13
Figure 1: Searcher-II.......................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2: Nishant................................................................................................................................ 5
Figure 3: Heron.................................................................................................................................. 5
Figure 4: Lakhsya .............................................................................................................................. 6
Figure 5: Rustom................................................................................................................................ 7
Figure 6: Porter five forces model ..................................................................................................... 8
Figure 7: Evaluation Matrix............................................................................................................... 9
Figure 8 : BCG Portfolio Matrix...................................................................................................... 10
Figure 9 : SWOT Analysis............................................................................................................... 11
Figure 10: T-Hawk........................................................................................................................... 13

2. 1 Introduction
An Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an uncrewed (pilot less), reusable aircraft capable of
controlled sustained flight. UAV can be remotely controlled from ground station but autonomous
controlled UAVs are gaining popularity.
Applications of UAVs have been wide ranging from reconnaissance, attack mission, target and
scientific/research activities.
India Defense has been utilizing UAV across the border in Kashmir area for reconnaissance and
espionage for last couple of years. With aviation sector growth, need for safe and reliable
exploration during strategic mission and Government’s change of attitude towards this untapped
technology have been blessings for UAV development, research and acceptance as a whole.
Lack of patronage for UAV capability development and unable to assess potential of UAV
applications in military and civilian use, India has not been well placed in this arena. Nonetheless,
DRDO’s passion for self-reliant in UAV research and development has been a stepping stone for
future road map of UAV technology.
In this paper, we discuss about types of UAV, requirements of UAV, applications of UAV,
development of UAV, Macro/Micro influences, UAV trend in world, market opportunities,
competitive analysis and recommendations. We will discuss in a context pertaining to Indian
Scenario with respect to global trend.
1.1 UAV types depending on functionality/Generic applications of UAV
UAVs can be categorized in a broad way depending on their functional areas.
1. Target and decoy: This type of UAVs provides ground and aerial gunnery a target that
simulates an enemy aircraft or missile.
2. Reconnaissance: This category of UAVs provides battlefield intelligence and target
acquisition (Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquisition -RSTA).
Surveillance for peacetime, combat Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Battle Damage
Assessment come under the broad category of Reconnaissance. The basic steps in
reconnaissance are target detection, localization, identification and designation.
3. Combat: This type of UAVs provides attack capability for high-risk missions and has an
advantage over manner aircraft.
UAVs can be used as platform for hitting ground targets. Armed (with Hellfire missiles)
MQ-1 Predators are used for combat mission in Afghanistan during late 2001.
4. Research and development: This function group of UAVs can be employed for scientific
research of any nature (environmental, atmospheric, archaeological, pollution etc) can be
carried out by UAVs equipped with the appropriate payloads.

3. a. Remote Sensing. UAVs can be used for remote sensing functions such as
electromagnetic spectrum sensors, biological sensors, and chemical sensors. A
UAV's electromagnetic sensors typically include visual spectrum, infrared, or near
infrared cameras as well as radar systems. Other electromagnetic wave detectors
such as microwave and ultraviolet spectrum sensors may also be used. Biological
sensors are sensors capable of detecting the airborne presence of various
microorganisms and other biological factors. Chemical sensors use laser
spectroscopy to analyze the concentrations of each element in the air.
b. Scientific Research. UAVs are capable of penetrating areas which may be too
dangerous for manned aircraft. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) began utilizing the Aerosonde unmanned aircraft system in
2006 as a hurricane hunter. Aerosonde’s system provides telemetry data (standard
barometric pressure and temperature data) far closer to the water’s surface better
than captured from legacy manned hurricane hunters.
5. Civil and Commercial UAVs: This category of UAVs is specifically designed for civil
and commercial applications.
The potential uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the civil industry are:
a. Border interdiction. Patrol of the borders by aerial platforms.
b. Search and Rescue (SAR). Looking for survivors from shipwrecks, aircraft
accidents etc.
For example: Predators (operating between 18,000-29,000 feet above sea level)
performed search and rescue and damage assessment with payloads like optical
sensor (daytime and infra red camera), and a synthetic aperture radar. The
Predator's SAR is a sophisticated all-weather sensor capable of providing
photographic-like images through clouds, rain or fog, and in daytime or nighttime
conditions.
c. Wild fire suppression. UAVs equipped with infrared sensors can detect fire in
forests and notify the fire brigade on time.
d. Communications relay. High altitude long endurance UAVs can be used as
satellites by performing radio and data relay function.
e. Law enforcement. VTOL UAVs can take the role of police helicopters in a more
cost effective way.
f. Disaster and emergency management.
Aerial platforms with cameras can provide real time surveillance in hazardous
situations such as earthquakes.
g. Industrial applications. Such applications can be crops spraying, nuclear factory
surveillance, surveillance of pipelines etc.

4. h. Transport. UAVs can transport goods in various configurations. Payloads can be
attached to bottom or stored internal/external to airframe of UAV.
1.2 Classification of UAV depending on Altitude and Range
UAVs can also be categorized in terms of range/altitude as follows:
1. Handheld 2,000 ft (600 m) altitude, about 2 km range
2. Close 5,000 ft (1,500 m) altitude, up to 10 km range
3. NATO type 10,000 ft (3,000 m) altitude, up to 50 km range
4. Tactical 18,000 ft (5,500 m) altitude, about 160 km range
5. MALE (medium altitude, long endurance) up to 30,000 ft (9,000 m) and range over 200 km
6. HALE (high altitude, long endurance) over 30,000 ft and indefinite range
7. HYPERSONIC high-speed, supersonic (Mach 1-5) or hypersonic (Mach 5+) 50,000 ft
(15,200 m) or suborbital altitude, range over 200km
8. ORBITAL low earth orbit (Mach 25+)
9. ENDURANCE vehicles are able to operate in a range of more than 500 km, or that can stay
in the air for more than 20 hrs. These are considered to be the most sophisticated of the
UAV family due to their high capabilities. They can be distinguished from other systems
by their large dimensions and their high capabilities.
1.3 UAV application in India
1. Reconnaissance
During counter-insurgency operations, India has been using UAVs to track down militants in
Doda heights of Jammu region. The aims of this kind of operations are: to reduce troop
deployment and increase efficiency. Indian Army has been using Searcher-II UAVs(Medium
altitude, Medium endurance ,Israel made UAV) for reconnaissance, intelligence-gathering and
militants tracking. Searcher-II is capable of carrying high-resolution day-night electro-optical
payloads and can transmit imagery in real-time to its ground control station.
Figure 1: Searcher-II
Army is already inducting Nishant (jointly designed and developed by National Aerospace
Laboratories (NAL), a Council of Industrial and Scientific Research (CSIR) lab, Vehicles
Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) and Aeronautical Development
Establishment (ADE)). The Nishant UAV is primarily tasked with intelligence gathering over
enemy territory and also for reconnaissance, surveillance, target designation, artillery fire

5. correction, damage assessment, ELINT (ELectronic INTelligence) and SIGINT (SIGnals
INTelligence). Nishant is one of the few UAVs in the world in its weight-class capable of
being catapult-launched (Mobile Hydro-Pneumatic Launcher-MHPL) system and recovered
by using parachute, thus eliminating the need for a runway as in case of conventional take-off
and landing with wheels. In June, 2008 Nishant completed test trial with indigenous Wankel
engine and achieved a milestone in UAV roadmap for India.
Figure 2: Nishant
India has good numbers of Heron drones (developed by the Mala division of Israel Aerospace
Industries-IAI). It is capable of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) operations of up
to 52 hours' duration at up to 35,000 feet. It is built to carry multiple payloads at a time for a
variety of missions, including electro-optical and thermal surveillance equipment, SAR radars
for ground surveillance, maritime patrol radars and sensors, signals and intelligence systems
(COMINT and ELINT), laser designators, and even radio relays. The prime purposes of Heron
UAVS are carrying out reconnaissance missions on India's mountainous borders with China
and Pakistan.
Figure 3: Heron
In addition to India Army, Navy is already using its UAV fleet of eight Searcher-II and four
Herons for maritime surveillance up to 200 nautical miles (370 kms).
The IAF (Indian Air Force) has planned to fly Heron unmanned aerial vehicles to assist police
and para-military forces in tracking movements of rebels shortly.
2. Search and Rescue Operation
IAI Searcher and Heron UAVs played a crucial part in search and rescue operations following
the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004. They were used to locate trapped survivors and
missing bodies near the Andaman and Nicobar islands, relaying clear photographs while in
flight and allowing immediate response as soon as a survivor or victims were identified on
screen via the live feed.

6. During massive search operation conducted by Andhra Police and our forces to find Andhra
CM YSR’s missed chopper, Heron UAV played a crucial role.
3. Target
Lakshya is a PTA (pilot less Target Aircraft) and is employed as target system which can
meet the requirements of all three services of the armed forces. It is remotely controlled (by
a ground station); high speed target drone which provides realistic towed aerial sub-targets
for live fire training.
The drone is ground or ship launched and is recovered from two stage parachute systems.
The highlights of this UAV are crushable nose cone (minimizing impact of landing),
dynamic flight path selection (programmed or controlled) and high speed (0.7 Mach).
Lakshya has been formally inducted into the services and is considered as the most
successful indigenous UAV project in India.
Figure 4: Lakhsya
1.4 UAV growth and future trend in India
DRDO labs (Aeronautical Development Establishment-ADE, Defense Electronics
Application Laboratory-DEAL, Armament Research & Development Establishment-
ADRDE and Vehicle Research & Development Establishment-VRDE) and CSIR-NAL
(Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories) are torch
bearers of indigenous UAV development in India.
Engine development is the most important aspect in UAV projects. Lakshya has been using
Microturbo TRI-60-5 for long time and had a dependency which has been hindering India’s
self reliance in UAV arena. After successful field trials of PTA Engine (PTAE-7 from
HAL), Lakshya is truly Indian both in design and system level. In addition to it, Nishant has
completed test trial with a wankel Rotary type engine in 2009 after the engine passed
rigorous ground endurance test runs.
A modified reconnaissance version of the Lakshya is under development. This version was
fitted with oblique cameras and a digital onboard computer with a faster data link enabling
the drone to carry out completely autonomous operations.

7. Next ambitious UAV project Rustom (Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV, with a 300-
km range and a 10,000-metre maximum altitude) is being developed by DRDO is
underway. Rustom is derived from the NAL's LCRA (Light Canard Research Aircraft)
developed by a team under the leadership of late Prof.Rustom. The Indian government has
allowed the development of the Rustom MALE UAV project in association with a
production agency cum development partner (PADP). Requests for proposals (RFP) would
shortly be issued to four vendors which are the Tatas, Larsen and Toubro, Godrej and
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-Bharat Electronics.
Figure 5: Rustom
With ongoing Rs 1,163 crore joint project between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and
DRDO for NRUAVs (naval rotary UAVs), Government of India has shown seriousness
towards UAV development.
Indian Army has proposed to induct a large number of man-portable ‘mini’ and ‘micro’
UAVs for short-range surveillance and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) detection in the
battlefield. Army has shown interest in UAVs like Hunter who has ability to drop small
precision munitions like the Viper Strike. Moreover, Army has ambition to acquire ‘killer
drones’ designed to detect and destroy enemy radars by functioning like cruise missiles.
1.5 Industry Analysis
1. Forces governing the industry
The UAV industry status can be described using Porter’s five forces model.

8. Figure 6: Porter five forces model
a. In the first force, emphasis is given in the number and the strength of the
competitive firms, the rate of industry growth, the capacity available and the
exit barriers.
b. The second force determines whether or not it is easy for an alien firm to enter
the current market.
c. The third force measures the ability of the customers to suppress the market.
d. The fourth force, considers our ability as suppliers to suppress the market to our
benefit
e. Finally the last force analyses the threat of the substitutes.
2. Industry competitors
There are 154 companies including many key and niche UAV players worldwide
with each of them having a variety of products corresponding to different market
requirements. In this field, cost effectiveness plays second fiddle to innovation and
state of art technology.
3. Potential entrants
In order to see a new player to enter UAV market we need to look into the entry and
exit criteria.
Entry barriers are:
a. Absolute cost barriers, such as those afforded by patents, availability of capital
and access to less expensive raw materials.
b. Limited supply barriers, such as control over key raw materials supplies and
limited access to distribution channels.
c. Marketing barriers, such as those possessed by the holders of strong distribution
consumer franchisers.
d. Legal and/or political barriers, such as import quotas/Government restriction
Exit barriers are:

9. a. Significant investment in R&D in general aviation required for UAV
application.
b. Infrastructure for office and lab
In India, UAV industry is primarily dominated by Government Organizations due
to above entry and exit criteria.
4. Buyers-Suppliers
Before buying a UAV a company or a government organization does an extensive market
survey, evaluation and approval from stake holders. ‘Evaluation Matrix’ helps authority to
take a logical decision considering various micro (Internal) and macro (External) factors.
Internal Factors External Factors
Evaluation Steps
Technical
committee
Financial
Committee
Purchasing
department
Operations
department
Companies
affectedby
purchase
Political
Scenario
Requirement
Specification
System Evaluation
Manufacture Evaluation
System Support
System Maintenance
Operator Training
Alternative Systems
Cost of systems
Cost of Support
Cost Of
Maintenance(Preventive,
Reactive and
Breakdown)
Figure 7: Evaluation Matrix

10. 5. Substitutes
UAV applications in military application are difficult to be substituted by any other means.
However, civil applications of UAVs can be replaced by aircrafts to a large extent.
1.6 Future Trends
We will use portfolio matrix developed by the Boston Consulting Group to predict future
trend in UAV industry.
Figure 8 : BCG Portfolio Matrix
UAV application in military market can be marked as ‘Cash Cow’ (High Market share, Low
growth- question mark?)) where as UAV application in civil market can be described as ‘Problem
Child’.
In order to maintain sustained growth UAV application in military market need constant
investment. “Problem children” have the potential to be developed to a “cash-cow” product, but
they require more investment and the appropriate strategic decisions for market growth.
This trend is applicable to India and to global scenario as well.
1.7 Marketing Threats & Opportunities
1. SWOT Analysis
SWOT analysis can be performed by the company who wants to venture into UAV business.

11. Threats Opportunities
Safety Issues
To venture into Military/Civil
UAV market with a proper
business case
Airworthiness and Certification
issue
Government support for UAV
application
Time to Market
Elimination of risk of losing
personnel in dangerous
manned mission
Cost effectiveness of UAV
product in the civil market
No need for human
consideration/tolerance(G
effect)
Joint venture between
Government Body(Defense
Labs) with major international
UAV players
Figure 9 : SWOT Analysis
2. Elimination of risking of human lives
Even with technological advancement in avionics, it has been difficult to provide 100% safe
flights. Human errors and uncertain situations are difficult to control thus making human lives
vulnerable during flight. Moreover, there are extreme and life threatening conditions where UAVs
can be useful and beneficial instead of manned missions.
Some of the risky missions are:
a. Spying across border
b. Manned Combat mission
c. Surveillance over nuclear reactors and hazardous chemicals
d. Fire patrol.
e. Volcano patrol.
f. Hurricane observations.
g. Rescue missions over adverse weather conditions
3. Integration of UAV systems
In the days to come, UAVs will be more complex and sophisticated. The systems that will most
likely attract attention in the near future are the High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs.
Two major players Boeing and Northrop Ghrouman are into HALE UAV development with Dark
Star and the Global Hawk projects respectively. HALE UAV can be used as aerial platform for
data relay (telephone, TV and Internet) like satellites. HALE UAV data relay solution can be cheap
when compared to satellite.

12. 1.8 Gap Analysis and Market Drive
If we look into Global UAV trend and India’s position in UAV applications, we could see wide
difference. India has to a go long way in UAV applications in military field. As far as UAV civil
applications are concerned, India is in a nascent stage.
UAV system developments in neighboring countries like China and Pakistan are propelling India
to revise its UAV roadmap policy to attain military equation. Pakistan has multiple joint ventures
with china and Turkey in UAV development.
The Pakistan military’s most capable UAV is the air force’s Selex Galileo Falco, which can laser-
designate targets for other platforms but cannot deliver munitions. Pakistan has ambitious plan to
develop combat UAV like Predator or MQ-9 Reaper or CH-3 in collaboration with China/Turkey.
As far as indigenous UAV development is concerned, Pakistan has kick started the Uqaab series of
UAVs in partnership with Integrated Dynamics (a Pakistani firm). There are some UAVs like
Jasoos, Flamingo and Mukhbar in Pakistan army’s armour enhancing reconnaissance and mission
capabilities.
China’s armed forces have operated the Chang Hong (CH-1) long-range, air-launched autonomous
reconnaissance drone since the 1980s. China has multiple versions of the successful CK-1 Target
Drone Series in its armed forces.
Among the representative models produced in the past few years are some dual- use versions,
such as the W-50 UAV, which can be employed for missions such as reconnaissance, radio-relay,
and electronic jamming. Another UAV starting to enter the inventory is the ASN-206. Its primary
military applications reportedly are day and night reconnaissance, battlefield surveillance, target
location, artillery fire correction, and battle damage assessment.
India’s position in UAV development is a long way off from China’s UAV supremacy which
could be one of the reasons for a need of thrust in UAV development.
1.9 Honeywell’s Foray in to UAV development and its proposal to Govt. of India
Honeywell has developed one of the most successful MAV (Micro Air Vehicle) T-Hawk most
suitable for backpack deployment and single-person operation. This UAV can be used to scan
roads for bombs and reconnaissance. Its sensor payload consists of one forward and one downward
looking daylight/IR cameras.
Honeywell has a plan to make a presentation to Indian Home Ministry including para-military
forces on homeland security. The proposal includes a demonstration of T-Hawk as a possible
solution for counter insurgency operations.

13. Figure 10: T-Hawk
2 Conclusions
UAV application in India is in budding phase when compared to global trend. Lacks of seriousness
and Government’s interest have hampered UAV projects’ progress in the past. We need to
strengthen military application before venturing into civil applications.
Public-Private partnership model can be encouraged to leverage product development and project
management competencies available with private farms.
3 Acknowledgement
We are grateful to Mr. George Koilpillai for his encouragement while carrying out this
work.
4 References
[1] SURVEY OF UAV APPLICATIONS IN CIVILMARKETS (June 2001) by Zak Sarris
[2] TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE: UAVS VERSUS MANNED AIRCRAFT, Sqn Ldr Rajesh
Kumar