Rustom 2 UAV/UCAV

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Post by Let-know

(initial prototype of Rustom 2 UAV)

Rustom-II is comparable in the same class such as IAI’s HERON-II MALE UAV and it is a latest addition to the Rustom series of UAVs, which also include Rustom-I, Rustom-H and Rustom-C. It is intended for use by the Indian Armed Forces including army, navy and air force in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the first flight of a prototype of Rustom-II (Tapas 201) medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka, India, in November.

During the maiden flight, the UAV’s take-off, landing and level flight capabilities have been tested by the Indian Armed Forces. The prototype is set to undergo user validation trails upon completion of the design verification testing.

Certification and quality assurance for the Rustom-II’s maiden flight have been approved by the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) and the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC).

Flight specifications (est)

Configuration : Unmanned

Type : surveillance/reconnaissance

Length : 9.5 m

Wingspan : 20.6 m

Height : 3.5 m

Empty weight : 1,600 kg

Gross weight : 2,700 kg

Max Take off weight : 3,100 kg

Payload : 350+ kg

Propulsion : 2 x NPO-Saturn 36MT turboprop engine producing peak power 73.55 kw,  100hp each (production variants will be fitted with indigenous turboprop engines)

Max speed : 225+ km

Cruise speed : 180 km/ph

Line of sight : 250+ km

Range : 500+ km 

Endurance : 24+ hours

Ferry range : 1,100+ km

Flight service ceiling : 30,000 ft

Max flight service ceiling : 35,000 ft

Involvement in the project

 Bangalore, Karnataka, India, was responsible for the design and development of the Rustom-II UAV. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was the lead integrator, while Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) developed ground control station for the UAV.

The drone’s fuselage was built by Taneja Aerospace & Aviation, an Indian-based manufacturer of aircraft structural assemblies. Wind tunnel testing for the Rustom-II was performed by Aarav Unmanned Systems, also based in India.


Design & Specs

The Rustom-II MALE drone is based on Rustom-H unmanned combat aerial vehicle and features lightweight airframe. It has a length of 9.5m and an empty weight of 1,800kg.

It is equipped with mid-set, high aspect ratio wings spanning 20.6m. The tail section is configured with a conventional T-type vertical stabiliser with a high-mounted horizontal tail plane.

The UAV’s tri-cycle landing gear allows it to make safe take-off and landing manoeuvres on hard surfaces. It has a single nose wheel in the front and two single-wheeled main gears at the centre of gravity.

Payload :

Rustom 2 is designed to carry a variety of state-of-the-art payloads weighing up to 350kg to provide multi-mission capabilities in both day and night lighting conditions. The payloads include electromagnetic intelligence (ELINT), communication intelligence (COMINT), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), maritime patrol radar (MPR), radio altimeter, transmitting and receiving antennae, and situational awareness payloads.

(Rustom - II with SAR radar)

In addition, the drone carries medium-range and long-range electro optic sensors in a modular payload pod mounted under the nose for capturing imagery and video.

command & control

The Rustom-II UAV incorporates a data link, which is developed by Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL) of DRDO, to transmit the ISR data, imagery and video collected by the payloads to its ground control station in real time.

It can fly in either autonomous or manual modes. An onboard flight control system allows the UAV to execute missions autonomously using waypoint navigation. The manual mode of operation is performed by an operator from the ground control station.

Propulsion

Power for the Rustom-II MALE unmanned aerial vehicle comes from two NPO Saturn 36MT turboprop engines fitted under the wings.

Each engine generates a thrust of 450 kilogram-forces (kgf) and is mated to a three-blade propeller to provide increased manoeuvrability.

The UAV can fly at a maximum speed of 225km/h and endure for up to 24 hours. It has the ability to operate at line of sight ranges of 250km. The drone’s maximum flight altitude above the mean sea level is 35,000ft.

Rustom 2 UCAV

DRDO also planned for a weaponized version of Rustom 2 after continuous motivation for Indian army. In 2013 when modi government takes charge it encouraged make in india and defence projects gets boost to numerous MSME's, public and private manufacturers. The weaponized version of Rustom can carry ATGM, Gun pods, rockets, short range air to air missiles, guided & unguided munitions.

                  Wind tunnel / CFD  analysis                   

            



CGI of Rustom 2 UCAV WITH  4 ATGM


                                                  

                                                                    Disclaimer : we cannot guarantee that the above presented information is entirely accurate

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