Flying Wedge Defence, a defense and aerospace technology firm based in the city, unveiled the FWD-200B unmanned aircraft on Friday. The company asserts that this is India’s inaugural indigenous bomber unmanned aircraft.
Founder of Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace, Suhas Tejaskanda, highlighted, “While the U.S. Predator carries a hefty price tag of ₹250 crores, our indigenous FWD-200B, incorporating state-of-the-art technology and produced in India, reduces the cost to a mere ₹25 crores. This not only showcases our dedication to self-reliance but also establishes India as a frontrunner in cost-effective defense solutions.”
The FWD-200B boasts a payload capacity of 100 kgs and is categorized as a MALE Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (medium-altitude, long-endurance). The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is equipped with optical surveillance payloads and integrated with missile-like weapons for precision air strikes.
Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 200 kts/370 kmph, the aircraft can endure flights lasting 12-20 hours.
“The FWD-200B can handle a maximum takeoff weight of 498 kgs and features a ground control station (GCS) range of 200 kms,” stated the company.
Tejaskanda outlined plans for flight tests on the full-scale FWD-200B model later this month, with further observations on flight dynamics and behavior scheduled for next month.
“Within the next three months, we aim to conduct testing at the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) to obtain certification. Upon completion of certification, we will be prepared to introduce this technology to the armed forces. Our goal is to also market this aircraft to other countries in Africa and Southeast Asia that may not afford $32 billion Predator UAVs but could invest in $3 billion Indian products,” Tejaskanda elaborated.
