IAF's Mehar Baba Competition-III: A Leap Forward in Collaborative Drone Surveillance

IAF's Mehar Baba Competition-III: A Leap Forward in Collaborative Drone Surveillance\n\nThe Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant step towards developing a collaborative drone-based surveillance capability with the announcement of the winners of the Mehar Baba Competition-III (MBC-III). Among the selected teams is FleetRF, an Indian defence technology startup that has qualified for Phase-I of the competition.\n\nFleetRF's focus in the competition is on communication and networking technology for distributed unmanned platforms. The company aims to develop a coordinated network for multiple unmanned systems, enhancing the IAF's surveillance capabilities and counter-UAS operations. This technology has the potential to be used in a distributed AWACS-type system, providing a significant boost to the IAF's air defence capabilities.\n\nThe MBC-III was initiated by the IAF with the theme 'Collaborative Drone Based Surveillance Radar'. The aim is to develop a proof of concept of a swarm of unmanned aerial systems working together to be a distributed airborne radar, detecting, tracking and reporting aerial targets to a central monitoring station.\n\nThe competition's broad parameters include a radar detection range of 2–5 km, the ability to detect targets with a radar cross-section of 0.3 square metres at 2 km or better, and the ability to track multiple aerial targets. The concept is not only envisioned as a future distributed surveillance architecture but also a potential counter-UAS capability.\n\nFleetRF has previous experience with the IAF's Mehar Baba Competition-II, where it emerged as the first runner-up after demonstrating swarm-drone technology. The company has also worked on RF technology and AI-based analytics for detecting foreign objects using indigenous drone prototypes.\n\nFor MBC-III, FleetRF sees an opportunity to apply their communications and networking expertise to distributed unmanned systems and take the technology from demonstration towards deployment. The company's immediate objective is to prepare for Phase-II: Limited Demonstration.\n\nThe MBC-III structure narrows down participation through multiple stages. Up to ten teams can proceed beyond Phase-I, followed by limited demonstrations in Phase-II, industrial and capability assessments in Phase-III and a full demonstration in Phase-IV. Three winners are planned.\n\nThe IAF has earmarked development funding as the competition proceeds, including up to ₹30 lakh per team in Phase-II and up to ₹1.4 crore per team in Phase-IV, subject to meeting the specified benchmarks.\n\nFleetRF's qualification for Phase-I of the MBC-III is a significant milestone in the development of collaborative drone-based surveillance capabilities. The company's expertise in communication and networking technology will play a crucial role in enhancing the IAF's surveillance capabilities and counter-UAS operations.\n\nAs the competition progresses, it will be interesting to see how FleetRF and other selected teams develop their technologies and demonstrate their capabilities. The success of the MBC-III will have a significant impact on the future of air defence capabilities in India and beyond.\n\nIn conclusion, the IAF's Mehar Baba Competition-III is a significant step towards developing collaborative drone-based surveillance capabilities. FleetRF's qualification for Phase-I is a testament to the company's expertise in communication and networking technology. The success of the competition will have a significant impact on the future of air defence capabilities in India and beyond.