By Arab Khan
With the increasing number of airborne assets in low-altitude airspace, the challenge of tracking movements and distinguishing between friendly and hostile drones has become critical, according to a recent industry outreach event organised by India’s Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD), the innovation hub of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Directorate emphasized the urgent need for robust UTM solutions to manage this growing complexity. Industry stakeholders were encouraged to submit proposals addressing these challenges, as the IAF actively seeks cutting-edge solutions for seamless airspace management.
The event featured a roundtable discussion on advancements in airships, stealth ISR, supersonic FPV drones, counter-drone measures, radars, jammers, UTM and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into defence systems.
A key highlight of the session was the presentation of a problem statement wishlist, outlining the pressing technological needs of the IAF. The Directorate also made a major announcement: the availability of IAF Bhatinda for capability showcasing, field trials, and testing.
The Directorate is inviting industry players, startups, and academia to collaborate in addressing these technological challenges. Participants were encouraged to reach out via the official email (aero.design@gov.in) to obtain the list of problem statements and submit proposals; the Directorate is offering grants and support to promising projects, ensuring that groundbreaking ideas receive the necessary resources for development.
The DAD serves as the IAF’s nerve centre for identifying and developing next-generation technologies to enhance operational capabilities. It works closely with leading organizations such as DRDO, DPSUs, CSIR labs, private industries, academia, startups, and individual innovators.
