The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a call for proposals under the third edition of the Mehar Baba Competition (MBC-3), seeking domestic capabilities to develop collaborative drone-based surveillance radar systems. The initiative invites participation from Indian industries, startups, academic institutions, and research establishments.
Objective of the Competition
The primary goal is to create a drone swarm system capable of detecting, tracking, and reporting aerial targets in contested environments. The system must provide an accurate real-time aerial picture to a centralized command, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making.
Advantages Over Conventional Radar
Conventional radar systems are large, static installations with fixed transmitter and receiver setups, making them vulnerable to targeting. In contrast, a drone swarm-based radar system is mobile and configurable based on mission requirements. It operates as a distributed network rather than a single fixed unit, offering operational continuity even if individual unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are compromised. The scalability of the swarm allows it to adapt to missions of varying complexity and integrate seamlessly with existing surveillance systems.
The IAF emphasized that the collaborative nature of the system ensures operational resilience. The defense ministry stated that the competition aims to foster innovation in advanced drone and radar technologies. Meritorious participants will receive development funding from the IAF, with the top three entries being honored with awards.
