The Indian Air Force (IAF) in a joint colaboration with at least two startups and the state-owned aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), plans to develop an air-launched swarm drone system, designed to attack enemy’s advanced defence systems reports Economic Times.
The project would also involve the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) which will help build the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities for target acquisition.
The air-launched swarm drone system is currently deployed by China across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
When develped this weapons system would greatly reduce the vulnerability of pilots and fighter jets to the ground-based air defence systems of the enemy forces.
The IAF plans to use Jaguar land attack aircraft that will have the capablity of launching up to 24 killer drones from four pods which would then take down the individual enemy targets.
The project will take four with a estimated budget of Rs. 1,000 crore and will be develped under the Combat Air Teaming Systems (CATS).