HAL RUAV-200. HAL RUAV-200 (Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is an unmanned rotorcraft project being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

Development

IAI-HAL NRUAV 
IAI-HAL NRUAV (Naval Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) was an unmanned rotorcraft project being co-developed by Malat Solutions, a unit of IAI of Israel, and HAL of India for the Indian Navy. The programme served as a precursor to the current RUAV-200 programme.

The project consisted of a Malat-made Helicopter Modification Suite (HeMoS) fitted on HAL's Chetan, an upgraded Chetak with Turbomeca TM 333 2M2 engines. The helicopter was planned to be used for unmanned operations and advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions from warship decks.

IAI-HAL NRUAV will feature Autonomous Vertical Take-off and Landing (AVTOL) to operate from helicopter deck-equipped warships and from unprepared landing sites. It is intended to be employed as an elevated mast, which will extend the vessel's coverage over a much larger area, providing early warning and detection of aircraft, cruise missiles, surface vessels and even subsurface activities.
It is planned to have an endurance of 6 hours and up to a distance of 120 km from the launching vessel. The system is being designed to carry a variety of ISR payloads including SAR, EO, and SIGINT. The project was initiated in late 2008, to be completed in 36-48 months with a budget of . The project was being funded by the Indian Ministry of defense 

In October 2010, it was reported that the programme is plagued by the lack of a correct landing and take-off system for moving platforms such as the decks of warships and had run into serious delays.

It was reported in February 2017,  that the programme contract with IAI had been cancelled and was being further developed in collaboration with Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

Specifications

HAL RUAV-200 

By February 2019, a full-scale prototype of RUAV-200 was developed and unveiled at the Aero India 2019. The programme was awaiting clearance for a preliminary design review. HAL was being assisted by IIT Kanpur and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of DRDO. The intended user was extended to the Indian Army as well as the Navy. The drone, weighing , has been equipped with a two rotor blade design and a petrol aero-engine. As reported,  the UAV features FADEC controls and SLR-DC datalink as well as autonomous mode for flying and take-off and landing.

As per a report in 2023, the UAV is expected to cater for the Army's need for "robust military-grade drones" for deployment at high-altitude regions. The Army has issued a requirement for 163 High Altitude (launch altitiude: >) and 200 Medium Altitude (launch altitiude: >) Logistics Drones. HAL has officially designated RUAV-200 as Logistics Drone (High Altitude) or {LD(HA)} for its Army variant. Army also needs at least 50% indigenous content (costwise).

The UAV can also perform advanced reconnaissance operations for armoured columns as well as artillery units. It is equipped with electro-optical day/night camera as payload for similar roles The UAV has a operating temperature range of -35°C to +55°C.

HAL also plans to develop an armed drone variant based on the design with network-centric warfare operations capabilities. The UAV could be equipped with machine guns, anti-tank missiles as well as air to surface missiles.

Specifications (RUAV-200)

References

External links
IAI UAV - Defence Update
HAL Tejas - Latest Updates
Chetak UAV - Livefist

Unmanned military aircraft of India
Rustom
Proposed aircraft of India
Unmanned military aircraft of Israel
Unmanned helicopters
HAL aircraft