Cyient/Bluebird JV Wins First UAV Order from Indian Army
Article By : Sufia Tippu
Privately funded project the only one to meet requirements in trials
BENGALURU — Cyient Solutions & Systems Pvt. Ltd. (CSS), a joint venture between Cyient Ltd. and BlueBird Aero Systems, Israel is one of the few private sector companies to break into the India defence fortress of procurement.
It has won its first order from the Indian army for SpyLite mini UAV systems for high altitude aerial surveillance.
SpyLite is an advanced, combat-proven, electric, mini unmanned aerial system. It is optimized to offer covert, extended range real-time visual intelligence. Fully autonomous, from launch to accurate parachute recovery, the system delivers enhanced reliability even in severe weather conditions, assuring long endurance, high operational availability.
CSS successfully demonstrated its flagship mini UAV system, SpyLite, which was the only one that met end-user requirements to conduct real-time surveillance and target acquisition at very high altitude and in extreme weather conditions.
Interestingly, the SpyLite was also the only UAV system to complete and pass the trial. It emerged as a mature system, incorporating unique capabilities and delivering superior performance as compared to systems in the mini-UAV class. It demonstrated quick operational readiness supported by launch and recovery in high altitudes and harsh terrains. Its low visual and acoustic signature underlined its suitability for covert operations.
Using high-end payloads, the system delivered high quality day and night videos, for an impressive control range and ensured a high level of safety with automatic return home and recovery in “no communication” situations.
The system also demonstrated “operation on the move” while the operator controlled the UAV from a moving vehicle until finally recovering it.
BlueBird Aero Systems Ltd, founded in 2002, is a dominant player in the tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry and specialises in design, development and production of micro, mini and tactical UAS and peripheral equipment and delivers exceptional, field-proven solutions to meet the challenges of the military, HLS, and civilian markets. Its advanced UAV systems, operational in Israel and worldwide since 2006, have accumulated over 37,000 operational sorties and support open area as well as urban scenarios and Tactical Mapping on Demand (TMOD) for military, HLS, peace-keeping, low intensity conflict, security, disaster management, law enforcement, search & rescue and commercial applications.
Ronen Nadir, CEO of BlueBird Aero Systems said: “When looking for the perfect UAV solution, experienced end-users, such as the Indian Army opt for a winning combination of field-proven UAV systems with high performance, diverse capabilities, high reliability, low lifecycle cost, and ease of use. That’s what the SpyLite offers, and we are glad it was proven once again in the Indian Army’s trials.”
Parent company of CSS, Cyient is one of the leading engineering services that provides high end manufacturing, geospatial, networks, and operations management services to multinational companies.
NJ Joseph, Managing Director & CEO, Cyient Solutions & Systems added, “We are delighted that the Indian Army has selected the SpyLite for its operational requirements and feel privileged that these systems will complement the surveillance capabilities of our armed forces on the nation’s borders.”
— Sufia Tippu is a freelance tech journalist based in India contributing to EE Times India