About Vayu UTtaM
- Vayu UTtaM is an indigenously developed multi-mode Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- It is designed to facilitate the coordinated management of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in increasingly congested airspace.
- The system can detect and track both military and civil UAS in real time.
- It also supports the identification and timely mitigation of unauthorised or rogue drones.
- The system is significant as the rapid proliferation of drones is creating a need for safe, coordinated and secure management of unmanned airspace.
Demonstration at Dronathon-2026
- Vayu UTtaM was demonstrated during the first IAF Dronathon-2026.
- The demonstration was conducted at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
- During the real-time demonstration, the system successfully detected and tracked military as well as civilian UAS.
Key Features
- Multi-mode Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM)
- Real-time detection and tracking of UAS
- Management of military and civilian drones
- Identification of unauthorised/rogue drones
- Support for operations in congested airspace
- Enhancement of airspace safety and security
Potential Applications
- Airspace safety and management
- Critical infrastructure protection
- Civil aviation
- Public safety
- Defence and military UAS operations
- Mitigation of potential threats from rogue drones
Conclusion
Vayu UTtaM represents an important step towards indigenous management of increasingly congested unmanned airspace. By enabling real-time tracking of military and civilian UAS and supporting the identification of rogue drones, it can strengthen airspace safety, national security and India’s indigenous unmanned-technology ecosystem.
| This concept has been elaborately discussed in – Indian Air Force Dronathon-2026. |