The defence arm of Pune-based Kalyani Group, Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL) has unveiled a new indigenously designed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called ‘Bharat 150’. The Bharat 150 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is already undergoing tests with the Indian Army at high-altitude areas in Leh-Ladakh.
Over the course of these tests, the UAS has demonstrated its capability of carrying a payload of 20 kg up to 8.5 km.
Rajinder Bhatia, President and CEO, Bharat Forge Defence, said the Bharat 150 is a state-of-the-art drone that can be used across multiple sectors with varied requirements. “We are optimistic about its performance and hope for a speedy induction,” Bhatia said.
KSSL will further develop the platform, and enhance its endurance and payload capacity for ISR missions.
The Bharat 150 has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 150 kg and empty take-off weight of 58 kg. It can operate at 1,000 m above the take-off ground and is designed to work at 5,500 m ASL. The Bharat 150 can attain an average speed of 50 kmph and tolerate wind gusts up to 15 m/s. It can operate in a temperature range of -30° C to 65° C.
The UAS features an indigenously developed radio communication system and Inertial Navigation System (INS) with anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities. This will allow its operation in jamming and GPS-denied environments as well.
It has a minimum operating endurance of 30 minutes and has a communication link encryption (128 AES) with 50-200 km range.