First indigenous AI-powered ‘long endurance’ combat vehicle ready

NEW DELHI: India’s first indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Autonomous Combat Aircraft under Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative was unveiled in Bengaluru in a significant step toward the country’s goal of defence self-reliance.

The AI-powered platform, named FWD Kaal Bhairava, has also secured its maiden export order worth $30 million from a South Asian country, according to its developer, Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA). Announcing the readiness of the aircraft, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder & CEO of FWDA, said the system is “inspired by Kaal Bhairava, the eternal guardian of time,” and is capable of flying up to 30 hours with an operational range of 3,000 kilometres.