Forthcoming

Unmanned Aerial Systems: Transforming Contemporary Air Warfare

Prof (Dr) Dinesh Kumar Pandey Introduction by: Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd), DG CAPSS

The development of air power has been characterised by technological advancements such as the jet engine and precision munitions. The emergence of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) signifies a comparable turning point, transforming from basic reconnaissance instruments into a sophisticated network of autonomous platforms proficient in strike operations, electronic warfare, and strategic deterrence.

The genuine influence of UAS resides in the alteration of the “kill chain” and the clarity of the battlespace. Through sustained ISR and algorithmic targeting, these tools have transformed operational art, imposing disproportionate costs in both counter-insurgency and high-intensity conventional warfare.

‘Unmanned Aerial Systems: Transforming Contemporary Air Warfare ’ examines this transition through three perspectives:

Foundations: The technological advancement and the discourse on manned vs unmanned superiority.

Regional Context: The spread of UAS inside India’s strategic vicinity, emphasising contested borders and grey-zone warfare.

Future Frontiers: Advanced concepts such as Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), swarm warfare, and counter-UAS frameworks.

This book critically examines UAS, highlighting their vulnerabilities in cyber domains and reliance on spectrum, rather than perceiving them as a solution to all problems. Designed for practitioners and policymakers, it amalgamates operational case studies and doctrinal transformations into a cohesive narrative regarding the future of aerospace and information warfare.

Prof (Dr) Dinesh Kumar Pandey Introduction by: Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd), DG CAPSS

Prof (Dr) Dinesh Kumar Pandey, a Master Fighter Controller (MFC), had commanded six Air Defence Units. He was Director of Air Staff Inspections and Director of the Joint Control and Analysis Centre. He has been a Professor in the School of Business (Aviation Management) at GU. As a defence and strategies analyst, he is panellist of various national TV channels. He is currently a Senior Fellow at CAPSS, Adjunct Professor, RRU; a member of the Advisory Council of GNOIT and Foreign Policy School.

Contents

Introduction

Preface

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

SECTION-I: THE BEGINNING

1. Evolution of the UAS Air Operations
2. Tug of War for Supremacy: Manned v/s Unmanned Aerial Platforms
3. UAV Applications: Touching the Sky by Exploring New Frontiers
4. Unpopular Operations by Popular UAVs

SECTION-II: UAS IN INDIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD

5. Drones in India: On the Flight Path
6. UAV Operations in the Indian Neighbourhood-1
7. UAV Operations in the Indian Neighbourhood-2

SECTION-III: BEING A CUT ABOVE

8. Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Enhancing Lethality with Survivability
9. First-Person View (FPV) Drones: Lethal Focussing on Targets
10. SWARMs: Revolutionising Contemporary Air Warfare
11. Next Generation (NG) UAS and NG C-UAS
12. Takeaways for Exploration of New Horizons for UAS Warfare