India pursues helicopter-launched loitering drones with up to 80 km reach
The Indian Air Force is seeking helicopter-mounted loitering munitions and drones capable of striking targets up to 80 km away while providing real-time video and man-in-the-loop control.
A US Army H-60M Black Hawk recently demonstrated a successful launch of an Altius-700 loitering munition, which autonomously located and engaged a target, highlighting the growing role of helicopter-borne hunter-kill drones. Israel’s private sector has also fielded a modular system for its Hero-120 loitering weapon, allowing mid-flight handover to ground operators. Inspired by these advances, the Indian Air Force released a Request for Proposal for non-line-of-sight guided ammunition for its helicopters, targeting a 50-60 km range, interchangeable warheads and live video feed with abort capability.
It also issued an RFP for drones deployable from helicopters that must carry at least a 500-gram warhead over an 80 km distance, plus a separate request for information on transport-aircraft-launched loitering munitions requiring a 500 km range and a 30 kg warhead. The initiative aims to broaden strike and surveillance capacity while preserving fighter squadrons amid a shortage, mirroring similar programs such as the US Air Force’s Gremlins and comparable efforts by other major powers.
Why it matters
Expanding helicopter-launched drones could reshape India's strike capabilities and reduce reliance on limited fighter fleets.
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