MIT, Anna University, Department of Aerospace Engineering’s Division of Avionics successfully tested the Dhaksha-mini unmanned aircraft system (UAS) which will provide the public safety and rescue operations with real-time video and stable, high-resolution imagery.

Dr K. Senthil Kumar, Project Director, Mini UAV, said that the short-range tactical rotorcraft system can be made available immediately when first responders need it. Dhaksha’s compact size fits in the small case or a car and is easy to launch and recover in almost any harsh environment. Dhaksha is highly tolerant of sustained winds and wind gusts, thereby achieving stable aerial imagery through an advanced onboard control system.

“Dhaksha will help first responders locate and identify natural and human public safety threats, keeping people out of harm’s way,” said Dr S. Thamarai Selvi, Dean MIT. It speeds and manoeuvres at the touch of a button. Operator training and workload is minimised through a streamlined design and user interface. Video imagery is transmitted to the handheld ground control station and distributed to decision makers for real-time viewing.

One person can carry and operate a complete system reliably and safely in adverse weather conditions, providing instant imagery anytime an aerial vantage point is needed. The rotorcraft weighs less than 4 kg, hovers quietly overhead for more than 40 minutes and can patrol at speeds up to 60 kmph. The operator uses a small portable control unit to command it to hover or fly in any direction at varying speeds.

Anna University partially funded the demonstration that took place recently and representatives from the ADE, DRDO, NAL and professors also participated. This platform has been developed by the research students team led by A. Mohammed Rasheed and A. Kaviyarasu.