Sudershan Kumar
The drones of the modern era, once considered as a scientific fiction have soared into reality reshaping the sky and redefining the possibilities. These flying wonders often referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were initially reserved for military and high technology enthusiasts. However, their evolution has transformed them into indispensable tool across industries. The journey of drone technology from past, present and future is nothing but revolutionary. So let’s delve deep into this revolutionary tool.
Drone is an unmanned platform without human control beyond the line of sight. The three main components of drone are the aerial platform (which include air frame, navigation system, power system and payloads), the ground control system (which allows human control from remote emplacement) and the communication system. They have military and civil applications, and are broadly classified into five categories viz: nano (7gm to 250gm) micro (250gm to 2kg) small (2kg to 25kg), medium (25kg to 150kg) and large (greater than 150kg) etc. As per the current available literature, nearly 60 to 70 countries either have developed their own indigenous drone technology or acquired from other countries. Currently, the drone technology is becoming an integral part with usage both in civilian and in military applications, and more so, it would definitely be of great use with this technology-oriented platform playing a significant role to veer up the needs for future generations. Therefore, before delving into the military and civilian application scenarios of current drone technology, it is imperative for us to know about the history of drones and their use right from ancient Vedic era to the present day and their prospective future. The name drone has been inspired by Pushpaka Vimana mentioned in our Vedic literature. Vimana has originated from Sanskrit word where “Vi “means Bird, “Mana” means Bird like. As per Vimana Sastra, there were different types of Vimanas at that time like Rukhma, Tripura, Sundra, Shankuna and Pushpka. As per Vedic literature, these Vimanas were of different sizes, with most advanced avionic, and with varieties of fuel used for vertical lift and noiseless movement in all directions, with some even employing the capability of underwater propulsion.
Pushpka is first flying Vimana mentioned in Hindu text and was different from the God’s flying horse – drawn- chariot. Originally built by Vishwakarma for Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, later Brahma gave it to Kubera, the God of wealth, but later stolen by his half-brother Ravana. These Vimanas had the most efficient propulsion system (Mercury propulsion system) with anti gravity levitation. They had the capability to travel in all directions from one planet to another planet. But nobody could decode this technology for manufacturing which is around 7000 years old and remained hidden in Vedic Granthas till Nineteenth century. Mercury fuel mentioned in our Vedic Granthas is used by NASA as advanced fuel in some of its advanced spacecraft.
The first recorded unmanned air strike occurred on July 15 1849 when Habsburg Austrian Empire launched 200 incendiary balloons (balloon bombs) against the revolutionary minded citizen of Venice. Significant development of drones for military purpose was started in the 1900s and originally focused on providing striking target for training military personnel. The earliest attempt at a powered UAV was on Aerial targets in the year 1916. In World War II Nazi Germany produced and used various UAV aircraft known as flying Bombs with Jet engines. Afterword the development of drones continued with various applications in other fields. Besides, drones were also employed for environment research and data collection. Scientists used them to monitor the wildlife habitat study, weather pattern, surveillance and survey of remote terrain. However, in past the technology restriction limited the application to experimental stage. With the maturing and miniaturization of application technology, the UAVs demonstrated the possibility of cheaper, more capable flying machines deployable without risk to aircrews. Initial generations primarily involved surveillance, aircraft but some carried armaments such as General Atomic MQ-1 predator that can launch AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground Missiles.
Needless to mention here that these drones are used against their adversaries for very precision strikes. According to the Bureau of investigation journalism, there are atleast 14040 strikes between January 2002 to January 2019 between 8559 people and 16,901 were killed 910 civilians where 283 to 454 were children.
Needless to mention here that Turkish made Bayraktar T-B-2 drone played a decisive role in Azerbaijan’s victory against Armenian forces in the year 2020 during war. Since then the drones have been extensively used in conflicts between Ukraine-Russia, and Israel-Hamas, for destroying the selected targets with precision without any collateral damage. In South Asia, Pakistan’s Military junta have been extensively using drones for reconnaissance and surveillance purpose along LOC &IB.
After having failed in infiltrating terrorists/Jehadis along the LOC and IB, the enemy has restored to drop ammunition, arms drugs contraband materials through drones to create internal trouble in India. Moreover, during India-China standoff along LAC in Eastern Ladakh, China also tried to intimidate India by demonstrating the manoeuver of 200 drones as loitering ammunition near LAC. These 200 drones were released from modules loaded in trucks. To contain and counter this information warfare Indian army for the first time showcased their prowess via demonstration of nearly 78 drones performing various manoeuvers during 73rd army day parade on 15th January 2021. This was a clear signal and firm message to Pakistan and China that India too had capability and capacity to thwart any nefarious design from its neighbours. This altogether indicates that roles of drones in defense would remain significant. Modern times, drones with AI-drivers are smarter and more efficient. They can accelerate more missions autonomously. Besides these high end usages, drones have revolutionized commerce, and play pivotal role in precision farming ranging from crop monitoring to analyzing and spraying pesticides with unparalleled accuracy. In the entertainment industry the utilization of drones have revolutionized the art of film making and photography. On 31st October 2024, around 500 Made in India drones illuminated the Ayodhya’s skyline, creating spectacular formations depicting lord Ram and other mesmerizing scenes from the Ramayana. Needless to mention here that modern drones have proven their worth in providing public service also; especially during natural calamities and disasters, the drones are deployed for search and rescue mission, and delivering medical supply. Nowadays, to maintain law and order in large gathering and processions police forces are utilizing drones for crowd monitoring. Presently, the health care services rely on drone to transport critical supply like vaccines and organs to remote region.
Future generation drones infused with artificial intelligence, 6G, Quantum communication system and nanotechnology are set to play a transformative role not only in defence sector but also in other fields viz: health care, precision agricultural farming environmental monitoring mapping of areas, weather prediction cinematic and many other areas depending upon the requirement. Drones equipped with AI can automatically analyze data, recognize pattern and will make real time decision. This would result in faster response time with increased mission success rate and that too with minimal human intervention. Stealth drones fly undetected, gather intelligence and complete mission without human interaction. Swarm of drones behave as if a swarm of bees, where they communicate with each other for precise coordinated movements and to carry out the mission as a team. They can overwhelm enemy defence, scout larger area and execute coordinated strikes. These smart swarm of drones are anticipated to bring greater agility, autonomy and adoptability to a range of critical missions. These drones would be able to switch it’s equipments when flying opting for different tasks, based on mission needs. This further changes the complete dynamics of future wars thereby posing a greater threat to the sovereignty of nations around the globe. More over Future generation drones could be of insect size for spying with drones equipped with camera and microphone. This insect size drone may land on human being and take DNA sample or leave RIFD tracking Nanotechnology on human skin. Through this information, one may know the race and subsequently develop viruses to wipe out that race. These ultramodern drones will not only revolutionize the society but also change the dynamics of 5th generation warfare. Therefore, it is absolutely essential for the world to develop multiple technologies to counter these threats caused by the ultramodern drones or swarm of drones to mankind. No single technology will work to counter these ultramodern drones. One will have to go for multiple options depending upon the size, nature of swarm of drones. Otherwise, the scenario is going to be very scary. The author is of the view that the nations that develop their own innovative advanced critical technologies will rule the world in the next millennia.
It is also a fact that the technology is nobody’s monopoly. Any nation can develop technology as per its will, vision and competence. Moreover, most advanced and critical technologies are available in our Vedic Granths (Literature). There are instances in nineteenth and twentieth centuries when some nations could lay hand on this ancient literature and could get some pages of Vedic literature decoded for their use. The technologies mentioned in the ancient Vedic literature are very advanced and sophisticated in nature. The Prime Minister has a vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. To fulfill that vision the government has already undertaken steps for development of a niche for these critical technologies. Moreover, our Vedic Shastras are a treasure of world’s most advanced and critical knowledge almost in all the fields. The need of the hour is to tap this rich source of hidden knowledge, which will lead the nation to new heights. Government should form a task force of renowned Sanskrit scholars for critically examining these aspects in the Vedic literature.
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