Here’s how the new aerostatic drone is expected to revolutionise border surveillance
Border surveillance, monitoring natural disasters and protecting forests and wildlife are expected to get a fillip with a new type of ‘aerostatic’ drone being developed under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Aerostatic drones are aerial platforms that derive their lift from both buoyancy and aerodynamics. This makes them energy efficient, resulting in a better alternative to tethered drones.
Said to be the first of its kind drone in the country, it has been developed by DST’s North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) in collaboration with Airbotix Technologies, a Gurugram-based firm.
Aerostatic drones are silent as they do not require constant thrust to stay afloat, making them cost-effective and versatile solution for providing persistent surveillance. The drone has an endurance of over four hours.
The system is designed to be modular and can be integrated with any ground vehicle or can be installed at any site. It can be equipped with both day and night camera as well as thermal imagers for surveillance and any other payload such as telecommunication relay and anti-drone equipment.
The day and night vision camera and thermal imaging capability further enhances its utility, especially in tracking and monitoring forests for illegal activities such as poaching, smuggling and logging, as well as by providing support for security operations along the borders.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on April 22, para-military officers have shown a keen interest in utilising the drone to enhance their operations, particularly in border surveillance and security in challenging terrains. Officials from the Brahmaputra Board have also expressed their keenness to use the aerostatic drone for disaster management and monitoring civil construction.
In military and security context, aerostatic drones are employed for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, providing real-time data and situational awareness to enhance strategic planning and operational effectiveness.
They can also be integrated into systems designed to detect unauthorised drone activity, enhancing security measures at sensitive locations such as airports and military bases. Furthermore, they have very few metal components, thereby making them virtually invisible to hostile radars.
These drones could play a crucial role in monitoring forest health and wildlife population, enabling conservationists to track animal movements and assess habitat conditions without disturbing the ecosystem as they are silent.
Aerostatic drones can serve as temporary communication relays in remote areas or during emergencies, ensuring connectivity where traditional infrastructure may be lacking or compromised. During public events, these drones could assist law enforcement by real-time monitoring of crowd behaviour and traffic situation.
India