The Indian Air Force (IAF) has approved the conversion of the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) from a technology demonstrator into a fully operational combat platform.
This marks a significant step in India's development of indigenous stealth drone technology. The SWiFT, originally a 1-ton platform, will undergo design modifications to fulfill roles as a mini-bomber and a surveillance asset.
The SWiFT project, initiated by the DRDO, was initially designed to test and validate crucial technologies required for stealth capabilities and unmanned flight. The IAF's recent approval, announced in early 2025, represents a major shift, indicating the Air Force's increasing focus on integrating stealth UCAVs into its operational fleet to meet the demands of modern warfare.
The SWiFT UAV completed its inaugural flight on July 1, 2022, at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka. The DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) designed this scaled-down version as a precursor to the larger Ghatak UCAV.
The SWiFT successfully tested technologies such as autonomous flight, high-speed landing, and stealth features. The maiden flight demonstrated the UAV's ability to autonomously take off, navigate to designated waypoints, and land, showcasing India's progress in unmanned combat aviation.
The IAF's decision to authorize the SWiFT's transition signifies a move from its initial role as a Technology Demonstrator (TD) to a deployable combat system.
With a take-off weight of approximately 1 ton, the SWiFT is being developed as a versatile mini-bomber and an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform.
Its flying-wing design, characterized by the absence of a tail, minimizes its radar cross-section (RCS), enhancing its stealth capabilities. This makes it suitable for operations in contested airspace.
This strategic move is in line with global trends, where countries like China (with the GJ-11 Sharp Sword) and Russia (with the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik) are heavily investing in stealth UCAVs.
The transition to a full-scale program necessitates further design improvements. Early SWiFT models featured a U-shaped air intake and a streamlined exhaust, modifications from the original design intended to enhance aerodynamics and reduce RCS.
Future enhancements are expected to further optimize these stealth features, potentially incorporating indigenously developed radar-absorbent materials and coatings. These technologies are also planned for the larger Ghatak program, where stealth is achieved through a combination of shape (70%) and materials (30%).
A crucial aspect of the refinement process involves the propulsion system. Currently powered by the Russian NPO Saturn 36MT turbofan engine, the SWiFT is slated to be equipped with the indigenous Small Turbo Fan Engine (STFE), also called the Manik engine.
Developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), the STFE has been successfully tested on the Nirbhay cruise missile. It provides a compact and reliable power source suitable for the SWiFT's 1-ton weight class, and is to provide cruising speed of 0.6 Mach, a 250-kilometer line-of-sight range, and a 6-kilometer service ceiling.
The UAV's internal weapons bay, designed to carry a 100-kilogram payload on two hardpoints, will also be upgraded. Future versions may include precision-guided munitions or electronic warfare equipment, further expanding the SWiFT's capabilities in both mini-bomber and ISR roles.
The development of the SWiFT is part of a broader initiative in unmanned aerial systems. While the larger Ghatak UCAV (in the 15-ton class) remains a long-term project, with a full-scale prototype anticipated by late 2025, the SWiFT provides a more immediate solution.
As a mini-bomber, it can conduct precision strikes against critical targets, and its ISR capabilities offer valuable real-time intelligence, which is crucial in the rapidly changing conflicts along India's borders.
The IAF is reportedly considering an initial order of at least 100 units, with potential modifications for the Indian Navy's carrier-based operations, alongside the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF).
