Ghatak

Ghatak is a classified stealth unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) programme being developed in India by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), with design work carried out by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), for the Indian Air Force. The name is a Hindi word commonly translated as "killer," and was previously associated with a tentative project name, Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA). Most programme details, including the full-scale aircraft's specifications, remain classified.

Overview

Ghatak is designed as a flying-wing aircraft without a vertical tail, a shape intended to reduce its radar visibility, and is planned to carry a turbofan engine. The design calls for an internal weapons bay able to carry missiles, bombs and precision-guided munitions, so the aircraft can strike targets while minimising its detectable signature. India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), ADE's parent body, has not published dimensions, weight, payload, speed, range or endurance figures for the full-scale aircraft, consistent with the programme's classified status.

Design and capabilities

Because the full-scale Ghatak has not been publicly detailed, most of what is known about the programme's design comes from a subscale technology demonstrator: the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed, known as SWiFT. Janes has reported that DRDO built at least two SWiFT prototypes — an initial tailless flying-wing design, and a second configuration with a tailfin added, which Janes linked to ongoing work on flight-stability challenges. The second prototype carries an electro-optical/infrared sensor above its engine intake and a conformal antenna at the rear of the fuselage. Design images from 2018 showed a domestically developed Kaveri turbofan engine intended for the type, though DRDO has not confirmed that engine choice for the production Ghatak.

Operational history

DRDO flew a SWiFT demonstrator in a fully autonomous mode from its Aeronautical Test Range at Chitradurga, Karnataka, on 1 July 2022, demonstrating autonomous take-off, waypoint navigation and landing — a milestone DRDO described as proving technologies needed for the full UCAV programme. As of the access date below, no full-scale Ghatak prototype had been reported to fly, no production timeline had been confirmed publicly, and the Indian Air Force had not taken delivery of any aircraft under the programme.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ghatak?

A classified Indian stealth unmanned combat air vehicle programme under development by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment for the Indian Air Force.

Has Ghatak flown?

A subscale demonstrator called SWiFT first flew autonomously on 1 July 2022. The full-scale Ghatak had not been reported to fly as of the access date below.

What engine does Ghatak use?

Design images from 2018 showed a domestically developed Kaveri turbofan, but DRDO has not confirmed the engine for the production aircraft.

Who operates Ghatak?

No operator yet — it remains in development for the Indian Air Force, with no confirmed in-service date.