Domestic Advancements

DRDO’s Composite Nose Cone for Tejas MkII & HAL’s Unmanned Kiran Aircraft

India’s indigenous aerospace and defense sector is witnessing rapid advancements with two major breakthroughs: the unveiling of DRDO’s composite nose cone for Tejas MkII and HAL’s maiden flight of the Unmanned Kiran aircraft (CATS-OMCA).

DRDO’s Composite Nose Cone for Tejas MkII

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone by developing a first-of-its-kind composite nose cone for the Tejas MkII fighter jet. This advancement enhances the aircraft’s stealth, aerodynamics, and radar efficiency, reducing its overall weight while improving performance. The indigenous development of this critical component marks a step forward in India’s self-reliance in defense technology, strengthening the Tejas MkII program as it moves closer to production.

HAL’s Unmanned Kiran Aircraft (CATS-OMCA)

In another major achievement, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) successfully conducted the maiden flight of the Combat Air Teaming System-Optionally Manned Combat Aircraft (CATS-OMCA), also known as the Unmanned Kiran aircraft. This marks a crucial step in India’s combat drone technology, enabling optionally manned missions and AI-driven autonomous operations. The CATS-OMCA is designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets, executing missions such as surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes.

Both these developments underscore India’s commitment to developing next-generation aerospace technologies, enhancing the country’s fighter jet capabilities and unmanned aerial combat systems.     idrw.org,   iadnews.in