Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) has emerged as a transformative strategy in the dynamic realm of military technology. This innovative system integrates manned fighter jets with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), significantly enhancing manned aircraft’s operational capabilities and survivability. By synergising the strategic decision-making and situational awareness of manned pilots with the agility and risk tolerance of UAVs, MUM-T enables more effective mission execution, especially in complex and high-risk scenarios. The risk tolerance of UAVs ensures the system’s resilience in high-risk scenarios, providing a sense of security and confidence in its performance.
Last September, New Space Research & Technologies, a prominent Indian drone manufacturer, introduced their groundbreaking contribution with the Abhimanyu drone. Named after a legendary warrior from the Mahabharata, this project represents a substantial leap forward in India’s defence capabilities. Recently, the firm unveiled a revamped design of the Abhimanyu, showcasing advancements aimed at reducing radar signature and enhancing its effectiveness in modern warfare.
New design of NSRT Abhimanyu.
Instead of external podded engines, the new design incorporates internally mounted engines with trapezoidal side intakes.@alpha_defense pic.twitter.com/a5gEMJW6cg
— Frontliner (@FrontlinerUV) June 25, 2024
Abhimanyu: The Collaborative Combat UAS
The Abhimanyu drone family includes variants designed for critical strategic roles: ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), EW (Electronic Warfare), Decoy, and Kamikaze. These drones are not just standalone units, but they seamlessly integrate with manned fighter jet operations, promising to enhance mission effectiveness through their collaborative capabilities. The recent redesign, which incorporates trapezoidal side intakes that integrate engines into the fuselage, significantly boosts stealth capabilities compared to earlier configurations with external engines. This marks significant progress in the project’s development, showcasing the impressive versatility of the Abhimanyu drone family.
Designated as collaborative combat UAS, the Abhimanyu team could enhance mission effectiveness through coordinated operations. Mothership jets could deploy Decoy and EW variants during missions to distract enemy jets and SAMs while conducting electronic attacks to jam radar systems. This strategic approach could pave the way for ISR drones to pinpoint and relay critical target information, enabling Kamikaze drones to execute precision attacks on identified targets. This strategic versatility positions the Abhimanyu as a formidable asset in modern warfare, potentially contributing to India’s evolving defence capabilities.
Comparative Global UAV Development: Abhimanyu vs. Carrera
Comparable to Lockheed Martin’s Carrera project, which launched with a substantial $100 million investment in 2022, the Abhimanyu drone exemplifies the firm’s strategic focus to meet global standards in unmanned combat aviation. Both initiatives aim to enhance the capabilities of manned jets through integrating intelligent unmanned partners, each specialised for specific mission roles. While Lockheed Martin’s Carrera focuses on developing three drones equipped with ISR, Decoy, and EW capabilities, introducing a Kamikaze drone in the Abhimanyu project significantly expands its tactical versatility and operational effectiveness. These advancements underscore a steadfast commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technologies for national defence, ensuring these firms remain at the forefront of military innovation.
Indian Air Force and Navy’s Pursuit of MUM-T
The Indian Air Force and Navy are actively exploring Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) systems to enhance their fighter jets’ operational effectiveness significantly. Collaboratively, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and New Space Research & Technologies spearhead the CATS (Combat Air Teaming System) program, which is distinct from the Abhimanyu project. CATS features a diverse array of capabilities, including the CATS Warrior, a loyal wingman designed for ISR and strike missions, supported by AlFA-S swarming kamikaze drones, a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite, and a mini smart cruise missile.
On the flip side, the Abhimanyu project offers a specialised decoy, Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities, and a Kamikaze drone for targeted missions. In addition, the Abhimanyu’s ISR drone, being smaller and more cost-effective than the CATS Warrior, not only provides enhanced operational flexibility but also ensures affordability for potential adoption by the Indian Air Force and Navy. These initiatives present advanced options that could equip Indian fighter jets with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring superior situational awareness, mission adaptability, and combat effectiveness on the modern battlefield.
Vinay Sadham
