Revolutionary Stealth Drones Developed by Hyderabad Startups

Veera Dynamics, a Hyderabad-based defence tech startup, in collaboration with Binford Research Labs, has developed India's first stealth drones. These drones utilize a groundbreaking stealth material known as RAMA (Radar Absorption & Multispectral Adaptive), designed to enhance invisibility across radar and infrared spectrums.

The Magic Behind RAMA

RAMA uses nanotechnology and can be applied as a paint or wrapping, functioning similarly to a 'cloak of invisibility'. It's made from a blend of two different carbon materials that absorb radar waves, converting them into heat, which is then rapidly dissipated. This technology significantly reduces the drone's radar cross-section and thermal signatures, making it nearly undetectable.

Strategic Capability for Future Warfare

Sai Teja Peddineni, CEO of Veera Dynamics, shared that RAMA represents a vision of platform-wide invisibility, not just a material. Initially developed to address infrared stealth, RAMA now also tackles radar spectrum invisibility with over 90% reduction in radar signature.

Field Trials and Future Missions

The drones have been tested by the Indian armed forces post Operation Sindoor. Binford is integrating RAMA with its autonomous drones capable of operating in RF- and GPS-denied environments, enabling covert, high-risk missions in contested zones.

Support and Funding

Both startups are supported by the Union defence ministry's iDEX programme and were initially backed by IIT-Hyderabad, marking a significant step towards indigenous defence innovation.