The Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT), which began as a technological demonstrator to develop and demonstrate technologies for controlling the flying wing configuration and flight characteristics at high-subsonic speeds for the larger Ghatak programme, may become a full-fledged programme in its own right as an Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
The Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT), powered by a Russian NPO Saturn 36MT engine, is a 1-ton All up weight (AUW) stealth demonstrator that has been tested since 2020 and has flown several times as a demonstration for the larger programme that will be unveiled in 2026.
SWiFT with an Internal Weapons Bay (IBW) will be able to carry two Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAW), which are long-range precision-guided anti-airfield weapons that can be used to patrol the most secure airspace.
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SWiFT, in conjunction with Swarm intelligence (SI), will be able to carry out the first round of coordinated air strikes on critical infrastructure, as well as serve as a MALE-Class UAV capable of hitting multiple targets across the enemy line.
The Indian Armed Forces, particularly the Indian Air Force, believe that MALE and HALE Armed UAVS are highly venerable in contested airspace against modern air defence systems and have little impact on the course of war if both sides have strong air defence systems.
SWiFT, as a stealth design, inherits low observable technology and will have a higher chance of survivability than traditional UAVs.
