Indonesia has revised its timetable on the Elang Hitam (Black Eagle) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and now wants to achieve its goal of developing it as an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) by 2022.
The UAV, which is currently in development, is scheduled to have its first flight in January 2021.The original plan was to introduce an unarmed reconnaissance UAV and then start work in 2022 on developing it into an UCAV by 2024. President Joko Widodo’s comments in February this year, that the UCAV will be developed by 2022, indicate that Elang Hitam will be developed directly as a full combat-capable UCAV that will launch a precision strike with guided munitions.
In order to accelerate the development of Elang Hitam into an UCAV, the Indonesian government is looking for weapon systems that will be carried by Elang Hitam, even as development of the UAV continues. Media reports indicate that Indonesia is interested in smart ammunition from Turkey’s Roketsan corporation. The company produces two variants of MAM laser guided glide bomb – the MAM-C with High Explosive (HE) warhead, and the thermobaric warhead MAM-L. The possibility of Elang Hitam carrying other guided rocket types, such as CIRIT from Roketsan, also cannot be discounted.
The locally designed and manufactured Elang Hitam UAV, a Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) drone, is being developed by Konsorsium Pesawat Terbang Tanpa Awak (PTTA – Unmanned Aircraft Consortium). The PTTA consortium was established in 2017 and consists of Research and Development Agency (Balitbang) and Directorate General of Defense Potential (Pothan) under the Indonesian Defense Ministry, Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN – joined in 2019) and two state owned enterprises: PTDI and PT Lembaga Elektronika Nasional Industri (PT Len Industri – National Electronic Institute Industry).
Work on the Elang Hitam UAV started in started in 2015 following an agreement between the Research and Development department of the Indonesian Defense Ministry and the Indonesian Air Force. Two models of the UAV were used in wind tunnel tests, the first in 2016 and then in 2018.
On Dec. 30, 2019, inside a hangar located within the PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) complex in Bandung, the consortium unveiled its prototype of the UAV. There are five development stages – Elang Hitam 1 to 5 (EH-1 to EH-5). The development of the UCAV will take place in stages EH-4 and EH-5.
Malaysian defense company, Deftech, displayed a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) intheir booth during the DSA 2022 expo. The…
Airbus has performed a first A380 flight powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus’ A380 test aircraft MSN 1…
Cargojet has entered into a five-year strategic agreement with DHL, with a renewal option for an additional two years, to…
The Icelandic airline Eagle Air and the German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft have announced a renewal of their support contract…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UPNM Malaysia for collaboration and training of faculty…
Meopta is displaying a wide range of military-grade optical gun sights, scopes, and night vision equipment at the Defense Services…
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s G7 Aerospace at DSA 2022 event on Monday (Mar. 28), Infoglobal…
Insight Atlantic, a Malaysian defense equipment supplier, is displaying a range of made-in Germany, Lowa tactical footwear in its booth…
PAL Aerospace and Thales have signed an agreement to jointly develop the next generation of mission system during the DSA…
Airod Techno Power (ATP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Honeywell International to provide Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)…
Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) has signed an MoU with Nexter on the third day of the DSA 2022 event, Wednesday…
In a public announcement released by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Wednesday (Mar. 30), there have been 54…
Sikorsky and Boeing on Thursday announced six new members, including Magnaghi Aeronautica and Collins Aerospace, of Team DEFIANT. The suppliers…
MA Group will provide the fully integrated landing gear system for the DEFIANT X helicopter, consisting of the nose and…
After spending about US$7.4 million on the project, the Australian government has cancelled its Project Air 7003, a program that…
AerCap has signed lease agreements for ten new Airbus A320neo aircraft and two new Airbus A330neo aircraft with ITA Airways.…
A routine service test for an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft on April 1 has ended with a surprising result. …
Malaysia-based DefTech and Iveco Defence Vehicles are joining hands to establish an authorised MRO centre for Iveco Defence Vehicles trucks…
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has begun the first installation of factory upgrades to a Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned…
FL Technics has launched a dedicated business line for wheels and brakes maintenance and opened a specialized shop at the…
ScioTeq has launched RDU-4208 LAD, its new full redundant Large Area Display (LAD) that can be deployed in new cockpits…
Etihad Airways, on March 31st., 2022, unveiled its new Airbus A350-1000, registration A6-XWB, on a special inaugural commercial flight from…
RGA-Black Stone Airlines, a newcomer in the Indonesian aviation business, officially started its business in the country after having its…
SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) announced that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Impeccable Vintage Properties…
Honeywell has signed separate MOUs with Malaysian firms Airod Techno Power (ATP) and Galaxy Aerospace that will further strengthen the…
AirAsia has announced that it will resume international flights from India to Malaysia and Thailand. Flights are now available from…
Embraer and the Brazilian Army have inked a contract to develop and implement Phase Two of the Army's Strategic Program…
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) officially inducted two Turkish-made T129B ATAK attack helicopters and an Airbus Defense and Space C-295…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to support the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) RPAS Project. Operations will…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) S26T submarine acquisition project from China is at risk of cancellation due to Germany’s refusal…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2023. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.