Press Information Bureau

NAL showcased the fully loaded 1:1 mockup of SARASMK2 with glass cockpit, Cabin interiors including toilet, Cargo compartments and other cabin safety features. SARAS-Mk II is a 19 Seat Light Transport Aircraft with multirole capabilities like Passenger transport, Troop transport, VIP transport and Casevac (AirAmbulance). The aircraft is exclusively designed for operations from short runways, hot and high airfields, and semi-prepared runways for connecting Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities / towns. SARAS-MkII is one of the unique aircraft where operational benefits are maximized through the Pressurized Cabin, Digital antiskid braking, Autopilot with CatIIlanding, two lever engine operation, Lightweight materials etc. by keeping cost minimum. Aircraft has capability to fly upto 29000 ft at max speed of 500 kmph with range of 778 km and will be ideal candidate for promoting regional air connectivity under UDAN (UdeDesh ka Nagrik) scheme.

Shri Jitendra Jadhav Director CSIR-NAL stated that the design is carried out with extensiveuse of digital tools like 3D platforms, virtual reality, advanced CATIA, Digital Mock Up (DMU) and PLM (Project Life Cycle Management) techniques to reduce efforts in design and manufacturing. He further stated that, the flight test efforts are reduced by realizing high fidelity simulator’s & test facilities where most test points can be demonstrated on the ground.

NAL demonstrated functional sub scale model of High Altitude Platforms (HAP) as afuturistic path breaking technology. HAP is a solar-powered UAV capable of day & night operation at a height of 20 km for more than 90 days. HAP will be a game-changer to work as a pseudo satellite for telecommunication applications in the 5G & 6G spectrum with advantages like low data latency, high bandwidth, the flexibility of launch and low cost. HAP will be used for variety of applications like broadband communication, surveillance, earth observation, climate research etc.

The deep technology innovations like intermediate modulus grade carbon fiber, carbon prepreg, special coatings for aerospace applications, Cf-SiC composites, Just-In-time Pre-preg, thermoplastic composites, ARINC 818 IP core, etc., for various aerospace applications towards self-reliance are demonstrated.

In an interaction with the press at Wings India 2022, Dr Shekhar C Mande, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR said “New Generation aircraft called the HANSA-NG has been developed by incorporating the state-of-the-art technologies and New Generation Design features. It offers advanced digital display systems using certified instruments, two primary flight displays with built in redundant power supply. The indigenous HANSA-NG will benefit Indian Flying Clubs as well as other customer applications like bird reconnaissance at airfields, cadet training, coastal surveillance, and hobby flying. As a result of this, CSIR-NAL received firm commitments for 10 Nos from M/s Belagavi Aviation Pvt Ltd during Wings India 2022. M/s Blue ray aviation has also shown interest in acquiring 3 nos of the aircraft during the WingsIndia. We thank Indian Air Force Test Pilot Wg. Cdr. Dilip Reddy for his brilliant flight demonstration during the flying display sessions”. The delivery of aircraft is schedules from July 2022 with private / public industry participation

He mentioned that “Multi-copter drones developed by NAL are being demonstrated in Wings India which are configured for Precision Agriculture, Geo exploration studies and for last miledelivery / medicine/vaccine delivery. The uniqueness of these UAVs are their higher payload capacity and longer endurance which areessential requirements for last-mile delivery, floriculture mapping, geophysical exploration studies (Underground minerals and water exploration), precision agriculture and pesticide spraying to remote places. NAL had demonstrated these capabilities to Govt. authorities all over India. Agreements were signed or Technology Transfer of these multi-copters (Quad, Hexa, Octa) to M/s Scientech Industries Pvt Ltd, Indore, M/s Magic Myna, Coimbatore and M/s C I Network Technologies Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad during Wings India on 24^th March 2022”. These MSME’s will start production in next three months’ time @ rate of 100 – 200 drones per month.

DG-CSIR also stated that Armed Forces have already committed 15 nos of SARAS-Mk II forinitial induction. The aircraft will be complied to FAR 23 standards and will be certified by DGCA and CEMILAC for Civil and Military use. The first flight is likely to be in June 2024 and the production will be from 2026-27 onwards. The SARAS MKII will be a game-changer to boost air connectivity under the UDAN scheme. I am glad to state that M/s ICATT Air Ambulance Service has given two nos of LoI for SARAS-Mk II aircraft for medical version offlying ICU & Operation Theater. SARAS-Mk II will be an ideal platform for ultra-critical flying services which ICATT is a pioneer and is the largest air ambulance service in Asia.

He further stated that the development of HAP is progressing on fast track and the functional subscale model prototype is being demonstrated at Wings India 2022.The subscale model will fly by Aug 2022 to evaluate the aerodynamics, stability control and avionics & autopilot performance. The flight test data will be used to optimize final design and Proof-of-Concept (PoC) of full-scale HAP will be demonstrated at a height of 20km with 2hrs endurance by March 2024. Thereafter the full scale engineering will be taken up by NAL along with industries.