Panchatejas Innovations Private Limited is an Aviation and Defense startup by IAF, DRDO, HAL and ADA veterans forming a formidable team with strong user background in Aerospace and Defense domain. The team has decades of experience in aircraft design, manufacturing, military system testing and integration. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a deep-rooted passion for innovation, Panchatejas is leading the charge in addressing the user operation and maintenance pain points by providing disruptive and customized solutions .
Key focus areas:
Panchatejas focuses on critical aspects of Human Engineering and Ergonomics in simplifying and customizing military equipment design enabling green energy solutions and manpower savings furthering rapidity of operations and quick turn-around thereby reduction in overall cost of operations. Panchatejas has a dedicated and inspiring team working towards Atmanirbharta in defense by developing indigenized products and unique solutions for the military and domestic industry.
Key products:
Within a short span of less than 2 years Panchatejas has developed and demonstrated two unique and critical technology products for our defense forces, imbibing the concept of universality, scalability, reliability and simplicity focusing towards improving efficiency, accuracy and rapidity of operations. Both the products are undergoing user trials and evaluation viz Universal Weapon Loading Trolley and Autonomous Electric Towbar less Tow tug. The products are futuristic and technologically advanced for adaptation to 4th and 5th generation aircraft requirements of IAF.
Motorized Universal Weapon Loading Trolley (MUWLT)
The trolley has been designed and customized for loading/unloading and arming of variety of weapon stores for multi-fleet, multi-station, multi-stores requirements. MUWLT has been ergonomically designed to facilitate quick turnaround, standardize and reduce GHE/GSE inventory, reduce manpower requirements and ensure accuracy of loading with reduced fatigue on ground crew.
Gaps filled and advantages
The product addresses the specific challenges of rapidity of operations during configuration changes, role equipment handling, tarmac movement of armament and allows simultaneous loading /unloading of stores on different stations.
MUWLT design is ideally suited for various fighter and helicopter fleets with low and high wing stations. The trolley can be customized for all stations and stores for LCA, Hawk, Jaguar, Rafale, Mig-29. M-2000 and SU-30MKI aircraft with 1+1 crew operations. MUWLT was extensively evaluated and tested recently during weapon trials on LCA with ADA-HAL team.
Universal Weapon Loading Trolley-Motorized
Loading 250/450 HSLD Bombs on LCA
Autonomous Electric Towbar less Towtug
Majority of Air forces and even IAF continue to use conventional aircraft towing concepts involving tractors powered with diesel engine and multiple towbars at all its airfields for ground handling of its fighter, transport and helicopter fleet for all day-to-day operations. Use of conventional technology for aircraft preparation and operation are not only a drain on critical manpower (brake manning, wing walkers, tractor drivers) but also unsuitable and unsophisticated for use on 4th and 5th generation aircraft. These operations are manpower intensive, slow, noisy and leave high carbon footprint and increase scope of ground accidents and aircraft damage due to human error. These GSE are huge constraints on hangar space and restrict free maneuvering in constrained areas.
Autonomous electric Towtug has been developed catering to multi airfield with minimal technically supported operating conditions of Army, Navy, Indian Air Force, paramilitary forces and civil airlines to support operations from remote and minimally enabled bases. The Autonomous Tow tug can pull and position fixed wing aircraft and helicopters ranging from 20 to 50 T AUW category along the minimum paved runways, helipads and at field servicing depots with a single ground crew in short time and cost-effective manner without compromising flight safety.
The present IAF sponsored project involves design, development and testing of Portable battery-operated Aircraft towing aggregate that can efficiently lift NLG up to 6 T and tow fixed and rotary wing aircraft up to AUW of 20 T. The developed system is battery powered and hydraulically operated with built-in safety sensors and supporting electronics for navigation, safety and control. The major systems of the Towtug are:
- Electric traction motors with electronic differential gearbox
- Hydraulic systems and actuators with flow control valves
- Battery pack with Battery management system
- Control system with GUI pendent
- Castor wheels with synchronous controls
- Towing arm and attachment for emergency removal
- Safety features (Emergency stop, EM Brakes, Collision avoidance, Snubbing, NLG/TLG protection)
The first prototype was delivered to IAF for user trials and demonstration on 14 Oct 24 at an elite IAF base and the Towtug has been evaluated under stringent quality norms of IAF. The technology demonstrator has been appreciated well within IAF and shall soon be upgraded with advanced features like Autonomous Navigation and control, collision avoidance, encrypted Wireless communication and analytics.
Gaps filled and advantages
- Increased efficiency and productivity
- Reduced manhours and operating costs
- Enhanced safety and reduced risk of accidents
- Lower carbon and heat emissions and environmental impact
- Improved aircraft handling and reduced fatigue
Indigenous Autonomous Electric Towbar less Towtug User trials on LCA at IAF base.
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