When we think of wind energy, we usually imagine big, tall wind turbines. But the Indian Air Force has created a simple device called Usha-Urja that can generate wind energy even in tough conditions. It was showcased at the Aero India 2025 event, happening until February 14 at Yelahanka Airforce Base in Bengaluru.
Usha-Urja looks small and might not catch your eye. It consists of two split PVC pipes shaped in a unique way, connected to a generator that fits into a suitcase. This clever device can produce electricity at high altitudes and in very cold weather, making it perfect for military use in places where regular generators struggle. Group Captain KDA Rajesh, who is part of the IAF, mentioned that Usha-Urja could be useful for civilians too. The prototype costs Rs. 5.67 lakh, but this price can be lowered to Rs. 4.14 lakh as production ramps up.
Also at the event, there’s an innovative drone repulsion system that acts like a virtual wall against drones within 500 meters. It uses radio frequency jamming technology and is expected to cost only Rs. 65,000.
Another interesting device on display is the Real-Time Aircraft Tracking (RTAT) box. This small box connects to India’s satellite navigation system, NaviC, and keeps track of an aircraft’s location every four seconds. This is really important to prevent incidents like the Malaysian Airlines flight that went missing.
Next to the IAF exhibits, the Indian Army showcased its efforts to improve existing technologies rather than invent new ones. Brigadier Salash Uniyal said that their focus is on maintaining and fixing imported technology, rather than creating new gadgets like IAF.
Lastly, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) displayed some cool tech, including a high-definition surveillance camera, but most of it isn’t available for civilian use yet.
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