IAF Greenlights Conversion of SWiFT Test Platform into Full-Scale 1-Ton UCAV with Design Refinements for Mini-Bomber and Surveillance Roles

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).

 

[Surfer]

Pretty-looking scale model. I am waiting to watch the actual-size drone fly.

 

[Double Tap]

more models lol

 

[FIDA INDIA]

In my opinion these government institutions must be limited to academic and research purpose. They are good at it The manufacturing infrastructure budget can be allocated to private companies. Academic and enterprising characters are not in sync here. In electronic they are good but in aviation they lack the punch.

 

[Akshat]

Pretty-looking scale model. I am waiting to watch the actual-size drone fly.

Gonna be a long wait, since DRDO is involved.

 

[Akshat]

In my opinion these government institutions must be limited to academic and research purpose. They are good at it The manufacturing infrastructure budget can be allocated to private companies. Academic and enterprising characters are not in sync here. In electronic they are good but in aviation they lack the punch.

How are they good at it bro? Most of the DRDO projects are late by years. Many see time overruns of more than 500%. Same for budgets. By the time they deliver anything, the tech is outdated. So how exactly are they good at it?

 

[FIDA INDIA]

How are they good at it bro? Most of the DRDO projects are late by years. Many see time overruns of more than 500%. Same for budgets. By the time they deliver anything, the tech is outdated. So how exactly are they good at it?

Missiles, sensors, rockets, etc are good. Planes, tanks and guns are always on improvement and testing mode.

 

[beencensured]

more models lol

They successfully test flighted it. Now, they are actually building small bomber version.

 

[beencensured]

Gonna be a long wait, since DRDO is involved.

Swift has flown, and will fly again with a new configuration. Akshat is known as French Dala. All things French make him happy, like a French fry.

 

[VKP]

One thing seems to be very clear: the IAF thinks it's a body whose only purpose is to have the best equipment at any cost, with zero R&D capability in-house, or, seriously, it is unfit to have one. If they had one, at least on paper, this frequent change of requirements would have been understood. No program can be delivered if the requirements are changed with each new idea.

 

[Sudha]

Swift has flown, and will fly again with a new configuration. Akshat is known as French Dala. All things French make him happy, like a French fry.

Even if he is a French dalla, what he said is true. DRDO & HAL are always late in realising indigenous products; otherwise, why will the IAF chief want the private sector involved in manufacturing planes?

 

[AK S]

Even if he is a French dalla, what he said is true. DRDO & HAL are always late in realising indigenous products; otherwise, why will the IAF chief want the private sector involved in manufacturing planes?

Two French lies don't make one truth. Still the same. BTW, TDs maturing to an LSP is fairly common, even in an Indian set-up. DRDO is still our best shot, and if supported properly, it will mature... no doubt about it.

I can understand how badly you want the GoI to contract it out to Dassault. But the problem is that Dassault has been trying to mature nEUROn into an LSP since 2003 and is not yet there.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a brilliant achievement and something that we should all be proud of. We should place some limited orders as it can be used to carry out ISTAR missions and limited strikes in local areas along the border.

Now we need to scale this up and create the medium version which will give us more firepower and flexibility. We could even scale this higher and create a larger UCAV stealth bomber which will give us a strategic advantage.

 

[Pankaj]

Please don't make the program so big that it would never be achievable. The track record of these PSUs in drone development is pathetic. Firstly, let the Swift fly in its earlier specification, and then only think of further modifications. Else, in case of failure, the blame game will start from DRDO and IAF.