The Defence Ministry launched a startup challenge to build solutions around underwater drones and AI-based satellite image analysis, among other things. The challenge — Defence India Startup Challenge 4 — was announced at the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) event on Tuesday, and selected startups and MSMEs stand to win a grant of ₹1.5 crores, in tranches, to develop their solution. Interested startups can submit their applications at idexdio@ddpmod.gov.in until November 30. Last month, India had placed a ban on importing fixed-wing mini drones for military purposes from December 2020. This is the fourth in a series of startup challenges, organised by iDEX, which was first launched in 2018 to help develop technology-based solutions for the defence sector, by offering startups and MSMEs building those solutions, grants and funds. iDEX is funded and managed by a Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), a non to for profit company, set up by defence-undertakings Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics. The solutions that are to be built as part of DISC 4: Autonomous underwater swarm drones AI-based satellite image analysis Predictive, preventive and prescriptive machine monitoring Super resolution for improving spatial resolution Prediction and forecasting of atmospheric visibility Computer generated targets for virtual training Remote real-time in-flight health monitoring of aircrew Foliage penetration radar Reduction of RCS (radar cross-section) of naval warships Target detection in chaff environment (a radio-frequency countermeasure released by military aircraft) MF-TDMA (Multi-frequency time-division multiple access) based wideband SATCOM modem As per iDEX’s website, the drones should be equipped with advanced…
