North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) Showcases Innovative Aerostatic Drone for Enhanced Surveillance and Disaster Management

The North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous body under Department of Science and Technology, Government of India today organized a live demonstration of the NECTAR supported technology for development of Aerostatic Drone at Malki Forest, in the presence of the Director General of NECTAR, Dr Arun Kumar Sarma, Shri S Kharbudnah Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) from RiBhoi and East Khasi Hills (Territorial), Deputy Commandant Rajneesh Kumar from the 7 Signals battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), , Dr H Tynsong, Scientist E from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Shri Gautam Kumar Bhattacharya, Assistant Engineer from Brahmaputra Board, and professor L Joyprakash Singh from North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Dr. Colin Z Renthlei, Advisor (Tech) and senior officials from NECTAR.
This groundbreaking technology is developed by Airbotix Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon and it is the first of its kind in India, designed with high endurance and aerostatically stable capabilities to deploy for forest surveillance, wildlife monitoring, border and disaster surveillance application. Aerostatic drones are aerial platforms that derive their lift from both buoyancy and aerodynamics. This makes them very energy efficient making them a better alternative for tethered drones. Aerostatic drones are silent as they do not require constant thrust to stay afloat, making them cost-effective and versatile solution for providing persistent surveillance. 
The aerostatic drone provides a silent aerial platform that can persistently stay afloat for surveillance with an endurance of over 4 hours. The system is designed to be modular and could be integrated with any ground vehicle or can be installed at any site. The drone can be utilized for a variety of use cases such as wildlife monitoring, forest surveillance, crowd monitoring, border security and disaster surveillance to name a few.
The flexibility to equip the drone with both day and night camera as well as any other payload such as telecommunication relay and anti-drone payload. The Day and Night Vision Camera cameras further enhances its utility, especially in tracking monitoring forests for illegal activities such as poaching, smuggling and logging, as well as by providing support for security operations along borders.
During the demonstration, participants from various organizations had the opportunity to interact with Col. Rajesh Gandhi (retd.) and Dr. Sohan Suvarna from Airbotix Technology and inquire about the drone’s technical capabilities. Of particular interest were the features related to surveillance using thermal imaging and the detection capabilities, with officials from the CRPF showing a keen interest in how the drone could enhance their operations, particularly in border surveillance and security in challenging terrains. The ability of the drone to operate in both daylight and low-visibility conditions using thermal cameras was highlighted as a significant asset for security personnel.
These drones play a crucial role in monitoring forest health and wildlife populations, enabling conservationists to track animal movements and assess habitat conditions without disturbing the ecosystem as they are silent. In military and security contexts, aerostatic drones are employed for ISR missions, providing real-time data and situational awareness, which enhances strategic planning and operational effectiveness. Furthermore, as they have very little metal components, they are practically invisible to the RADAR. Aerostatic drones can serve as temporary communication relays in remote areas or during emergencies, ensuring connectivity where traditional infrastructure may be lacking or compromised. Aerostatic drones can also be integrated into systems designed to detect unauthorized drone activity, enhancing security measures at sensitive locations such as airports and military bases. During public events, these drones assist law enforcement by monitoring crowd behavior, helping to ensure safety and manage potential disturbances effectively. Moreover, they can be utilized to monitor traffic conditions in urban areas, providing valuable data for traffic management systems and aiding in the reduction of congestion through real-time information dissemination.
The officials from Brahmaputra board also asked about the applicability of the aerostatic drone for disaster management and for monitoring civil construction such as roads. Airbotix Technology explained that the drone could be used for both these applications as the payload and the drone both can be customized based on the specific requirements of the operator.
The event also underscored the importance of innovation and technology in addressing the unique challenges faced by the North East region, particularly in the areas of environmental protection, disaster management, and border security.
The Aerostatic Drone is expected to be a game-changer in its field, with its versatility and high-performance features setting a new standard for unmanned aerial vehicle technology in India.