The Indian Navy Command has included the startup NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) to develop a wingman combat drone. Apparently, it will be controlled by the pilot of a MiG-29K carrier-based fighter. This is according to the Eurasian Times.
The drone will be created based on the concept of the Abhimanyu jet-powered wingman drone.
Eurasian Times author Sakshi Tiwari explained that a "wingman" is a new concept in military aviation. It implies a tandem of a manned aircraft and a drone to perform combat and auxiliary tasks.
Drones increase situational awareness and reduce the risk to the fighter pilot. UAVs can perform reconnaissance missions and conduct electronic warfare.
According to the Indian Navy Command's plan, the wingman drones will work in conjunction with the MiG-29Ks in service. It is expected that the fleet of carrier-based fighters will also be replenished with Rafale-M.
A similar concept for the Su-57 and the heavy UAV S-70 "Okhotnik" has been developed in Russia for the past few years. In 2019, the fighter and the drone conducted a joint flight for the first time.
The "Okhotnik" automatically practiced interacting with the Su-57. Its main task was to expand the radar field for the aircraft.
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