Bangladesh News Primary Trainer | UAV | Other Projects

[Isa Khan]

Note: Since our first indigenous primary training aircraft will make maiden flight soon, perhaps it's time to open a dedicated thread for the trainer, UAV and other projects to keep all related news/information together in one place. Not much information are publicly available on these projects so it will be only this thread for now.

Separate thread will be created in future for these projects if there's more information available (or necessary). Try to share post/news/info totally related to the projects. Don't post things like "PM hopes we will build aircraft" or "country keen to cooperate on the sector". (Example)

Regards.

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Primary training aircraft will make maiden flight soon.

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Bangladesh has pledged a special unit for operational level unmanned aerial surveillance in partnership with the US

The United States has announced a donation of $13 million to support Bangladesh’s drone or unmanned aerial system (UAS) project for deployment in UN peacekeeping operations.

The announcement from the US came at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial where UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres made an appeal to the member countries to strive towards making peacekeeping missions safer.

A statement from the US State department said: “Our pledge includes the provision of at least $13 million in support of Bangladesh’s commitment to develop an unmanned aerial system (UAS) capability for deployment to a UN peacekeeping operation.”

This is part of US government’s “continued commitment to assist the UN in addressing capability shortfalls, including critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities that will strengthen mission operations,” it said.

Bangladesh, the second largest police and troop contributor country to UN peacekeeping, has pledged a special unit for operational level unmanned aerial surveillance in partnership with the US.

Apart from the donation of $13 million to Bangladesh, the Pentagon will provide training, technology, and subject matter expertise on a variety of topics, including advising the UN on how to incorporate and more effectively employ UAS capabilities into their missions.

With 98 peacekeepers killed last year and this year’s toll already touching 26, there has been a growing demand for making peacekeeping missions safer and member countries are being asked to achieve this goal through contributions of equipment and training programs.

Peacekeeping advocates have pushed for “smart peacekeeping” that employs latest technology and surveillance equipment to reduce the risks in hostile environments.

Bangladesh and other troop-contributing countries have for long been demanding more sophisticated equipment, better aviation and surveillance units and it’s believed Bangladesh’s drone project in partnership with the US could be a trendsetter.

Washington to give Dhaka $13m to develop UAS

Bangladesh has pledged a special unit for operational level unmanned aerial surveillance in partnership with the US

archive.dhakatribune.com

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A tripartite MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for commercial production of space-life suitable modules in Bangladesh was signed on Sunday.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) signed the MoU with Bridge to Bangladesh (B2B), Aspire to innovate (A2I), and pico Satellite at an event held in the city's Le Meridien hotel.

Air Commodore Mommad Abdullah Al Mahbub on behalf of BSMRAAU, Faruq Ahmed Jewel, Head of technology of A2I, Sajedul Islam, vice-president of B2B, and Profssor Dr Najmul Ullah for establishing Pico satellite labs signed the MoU.

The four contracted organizations aim at establishing a space ecosystem in the country. State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak was virtually connected as the chief guest at the event.

Palak said Bangladesh needs to launch numbers of satellites for boosting agricultural production, urban planning, and early flood detection.

"The MoU signed today will increase our capacity to produce Pico, Nanosatellites along with observatory satellites. In the future, country's youth will be able to build complete satellites and launch them through this deal," said Palak. -UNB

‘Space-life suitable modules to be produced in Bangladesh’ - Business - observerbd.com

A tripartite MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for commercial production of space-life suitable modules in Bangladesh was signed on Sunday.Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) signed the MoU with Bridge to Bangladesh (B2B), Aspire to innovate (A2I), and...

www.observerbd.com

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

@Isa Khan (didn't post full article cos not all of it is relevant to thread)

''Answering another question from ruling AL lawmaker Nur Uddin Chowdhury Nayan elected from Laxmipur, the Prime Minister said the Bangladesh Air Force is in the process of building a small range of primary training aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in its own technology.''

Following the strategic direction of this endeavor, Bangladesh will one day be able to build high-tech warplanes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, she added.

Padma Bridge’s 42 pillars reflect courageous Bangladesh: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the government didn’t become disappointed as the construction of the Padma Bridge has...

www.jagonews24.com

 

[Isa Khan]

@Isa Khan (didn't post full article cos not all of it is relevant to thread)

''Answering another question from ruling AL lawmaker Nur Uddin Chowdhury Nayan elected from Laxmipur, the Prime Minister said the Bangladesh Air Force is in the process of building a small range of primary training aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in its own technology.''

Following the strategic direction of this endeavor, Bangladesh will one day be able to build high-tech warplanes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, she added.

Padma Bridge’s 42 pillars reflect courageous Bangladesh: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the government didn’t become disappointed as the construction of the Padma Bridge has...

www.jagonews24.com

Told you before that Grob was a separate deal. This was first revealed few years ago by a BAF official to Somoy TV. Then a BSMRAAU official confirmed that work started in 2021 or this year because of pandemic. Even before that a former BAF talked about the plan in 2013. BAF will use the experience of PT-6 overhauling in this. I hope they build a tandem seat turboprop basic trainer.

BAF already developed a UAV. So i wonder if the current project is different from this one or not and who is assisting us. China/Turkey or Korea? There was an offer for joint UAV production from Turkey long time ago. BAF could use the basic trainer for UAV also if they want IMO.

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

BAF already developed a UAV

Surveillance or combat drone ?

So i wonder if the current project is different from this one or not and who is assisting us. China/Turkey or Korea? There was an offer for joint UAV production from Turkey long time ago

Did we sign an MoU with anyone regarding joint production/research recently ?

 

[Isa Khan]

Surveillance or combat drone ?

Surveillance.

 

[Isa Khan]

BAF signed MoU with unmanned helicopter systems manufacturer SwissDrones for research, development and production in Bangladesh.

 

[PutinBro]

BAF UAV/UCAV program is 2 stages away from completion.

 

[Isa Khan]

BAF UAV/UCAV program is 2 stages away from completion.

View attachment 51540

Previous infos made me think that BAF already developed/built a UAV capable of taking reconnaissance role but after reading this new info it seems like the aircraft is probably a scale model/testbed (like DRDO's SWiFT) mentioned by everyone in these two parts below which probably can carry out reconnaissance.

Reason for thinking that is mentioned timeline and duration of the project. I don't think there's a second/another UAV if a project started in 2008/10 years ago is still not complete. Doubt BAF manged to spare money for a second UAV project.

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[Isa Khan]

 

[Isa Khan]

 

[Gary]

An air force led aircraft manufacturing program rarely delivers, if Bangladesh is serious on having a domestic aircraft industry, it needs to be civilian led and operate like a real company.

 

[Isa Khan]

An air force led aircraft manufacturing program rarely delivers, if Bangladesh is serious on having a domestic aircraft industry, it needs to be civilian led and operate like a real company.

Well, PAC is doing good. With proper support BAF can deliver too. Currently only BAF & BSMRAAU has expertise in this field. All the projects we had so far were taken by BAF. So they are the only ones currently capable of taking such program.

With all MRO and manufacturing program, it's clear that they want to lower all expenses as much as they can since BAF gets lowest portion of the budget. That'll give them chance to save money for any future aircraft/fighter jets.

Also the former BAF chief who talked about the basic/primary trainer 10 years ago indicated that even future aircraft program could be led by BAF. They need to build aircraft locally right now and there's not any private companies to help them so no point in waiting for help. For now BAF has to do it's own work. Even if the private companies set up now, it'll take years.

Don't know what the current progress of establishing an aviation industry in Lalmonirhat but hopefully graduates from BSMRAAU will change if govt supports and private companies shows interest to invest money. Though i doubt that judging by the naval industry. Anyway, AFAIK there's only one private company exist here. It has Chinese assistance if i am not wrong. Don't know if they are in contact with BAF or not and how's their business going here.

Avion Aerospace Group | Dhaka

Avion Aerospace Group, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 3,575 likes · 1 talking about this · 7 were here. Avion Aerospace Group, Based in China, Bangaldesh Provides: one stop avitaion solutions

www.facebook.com

Avion Aerospace

Your one stop aviation and defense solution

avion-aerospace.com

 

[Gary]

Don't know what the current progress of establishing an aviation industry in Lalmonirhat but hopefully graduates from BSMRAAU will change if govt supports and private companies shows interest to invest money. Though i doubt that judging by the naval industry. Anyway, AFAIK there's only one private company exist here. It has Chinese assistance if i am not wrong. Don't know if they are in contact with BAF or not and how's their business going here.

Avion Aerospace Group | Dhaka

Avion Aerospace Group, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 3,575 likes · 1 talking about this · 7 were here. Avion Aerospace Group, Based in China, Bangaldesh Provides: one stop avitaion solutions

www.facebook.com

Avion Aerospace

Your one stop aviation and defense solution

avion-aerospace.com

Preferably imo, starting by assembling ready products which does not need additional R&D. At the very least, BSMRAAU graduates will have a ready industry to admit them once they graduate. The learning curves will grow from there. Maybe pay companies like Grob a hefty sums of money so that you could assemble their 120TP model in the country ?

 

[Isa Khan]

A tripartite MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for commercial production of space-life suitable modules in Bangladesh was signed on Sunday.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) signed the MoU with Bridge to Bangladesh (B2B), Aspire to innovate (A2I), and pico Satellite at an event held in the city's Le Meridien hotel.

Air Commodore Mommad Abdullah Al Mahbub on behalf of BSMRAAU, Faruq Ahmed Jewel, Head of technology of A2I, Sajedul Islam, vice-president of B2B, and Profssor Dr Najmul Ullah for establishing Pico satellite labs signed the MoU.

The four contracted organizations aim at establishing a space ecosystem in the country. State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak was virtually connected as the chief guest at the event.

Palak said Bangladesh needs to launch numbers of satellites for boosting agricultural production, urban planning, and early flood detection.

"The MoU signed today will increase our capacity to produce Pico, Nanosatellites along with observatory satellites. In the future, country's youth will be able to build complete satellites and launch them through this deal," said Palak. -UNB

Pico Satellite for Bangladesh is a joint research initiative of BSMRAAU and Pico Satellite Company of Bangladesh. The main idea is to develop a series of pico satellites or cube satellites locally that are low in cost but high in return. A dedicated Lab has been set up in the Lalmonirhat Campus as well as in the Dhaka Campus of BSMRAAU, where a significant number of students and faculty members are working under the supervision of Professor Dr. Nazmul Ula, Founder of Pico Satellite Company.

The current objective of this project is to build a flight-ready 1U CubeSat by December 2023. Along the way it is expected that the required expertise will be developed among the students and faculty members to build many more pico or cube satellites in the future.

This may pave the way for a full-fledged space program here in BSMRAAU within the next 10 years. The global CubeSat market is projected to be valued at 491.3 million US dollars by 2027. BSMRAAAU wants to help Bangladesh to be a part of that economy. In this regard, expertise, facilities, and opportunities are being gathered here in BSMRAAU to facilitate small-scale space entrepreneurship in the near future in Bangladesh.

Objectives:

⦁ International collaboration on research in the field of design, development and launching of CubeSats.
⦁ International collaboration and cooperation with Pico Satellite Company.
⦁ Expansion of joint research initiative with NRB Scholar Dr. Nazmul Ula, Associate Dean and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Loyola Marymount University, USA.
⦁ Infuse education on design, development and launching of CubeSats into the undergraduate students of BSMRRAAU.
⦁ Develop a collaborative research ecosystem amongst the students and faculties of BSMRAAU.
⦁ Create a pathway for Bangladesh to achieve its own Space Economy.

Preferably imo, starting by assembling ready products which does not need additional R&D.

Maybe pay companies like Grob a hefty sums of money so that you could assemble their 120TP model in the country ?

Even that is being done by BAF only atm. If anyone can assemble G-120TP in the country now, it would be BAF as they already have deal for two workshops here. BAF will also employ BSMRAAU graduates for it's work. Currently the trainer project has BSMRAAU manpower. Wonder if Grob is assisting in the trainer project as part of the deal.

 

[Isa Khan]

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University has enhanced research and development activities in four areas in line with the nation’s goal of becoming a knowledge-based country by 2041.

The thrust areas chosen for the BSMRAAU are constructing prototype single-engine light aircraft, medium-range drones, nano satellites and indigenous rockets, said the university’s vice-chancellor Air Vice-Marshal Muhammad Nazrul Islam in a recent interview with New Age at his Tejgaon office in Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

He noted that the National Perspective Plan 2041 identified the requirement of professional and skilled human resources for the country’s aviation and aerospace sector.

While elaborating updates on the institution’s R & D activities, he narrated how they were trying to enlist services of non-resident Bangladeshi experts to overcome the shortage of quality teachers by paying them affordable consultancy fees.

The VC also said that they were going to shift the university campus from the capital’s Tejgaon in July to its permanent site in Lalmonirhat, a northern town, over 300 kilometres from the capital.

Nazrul Islam, who was appointed as the VC of the country’s lone aviation and aerospace university in July 2021, said that the entity had been giving research and development priority since its inception in February 2019.

According to Nazrul, the lack of research has been a major reason for the country’s low progress in technology, he said.

He stated that the BSMRAAU was going to start building prototype single-engine light aircraft soon with assistance from the country’s Air Force.

Hangers and sites are ready for such aircraft while the import procedures for equipment will be completed soon, he also said.

The production of medium-range drones, which would be able to travel beyond 100 kilometres, has been made a priority for the institution, with emphasis on the development of nano satellites and rockets to capitalise on students’ enthusiasm for research and development.

Already, the fund for the R & D component has been raised 10 times in the current financial year compared with the previous financial year, he said without disclosing the amount.

According to the BSMRAAU VC, drones can be used extensively for agriculture and tourism purposes while the demand for the item in the maritime sector is also high.

He disclosed that they were also developing nano satellites and rockets.

‘Rocket is an integral part of space science,’ he said, adding that they are advancing in this regard in a very methodical ways as rocket science is very critical.

Computer modelling of rocket designs is under way after designs have been completed, he said.

He disclosed that they were also using help from the Air Force to run physical tests of rockets in the coming days.

The university, he went on to say, has entered into collaboration with a number of reputed universities, institutions, research centres and experts for all its four priority areas.

‘We have signed MoUs with the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh, leading industry manufacturers like the Airbus and Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group of Canada, higher educational institutions like Dhaka University, Cranfield University and the University of Surrey in the UK and Shenyang Aerospace in China to name a few,’ he said.

He also said that eminent Indian space scientist and former chair of Indian Space Research Organisation Professor AS Kiran Kumar, pro-vice-chancellor of Cranfield University Professor Dame Helen Atkinson and Professor Nazmul Ula of Loyola Maryland University of the US conducted sessions in training events.

The university has already built an antenna and set it on a rooftop on its makeshift campus in Tejgoan to begin to explore space science.

‘It [the antenna] works as it can establish connection with satellites,’ said Nazrul Islam.

He said that they were getting good response from the non-resident Bangladeshi experts against a BSMRAAU request for taking classes at the university since consultancy fees of foreign experts are very high.

The university is also going to arrange training for its teachers at foreign universities as they are determined not to compromise on the quality of teaching and training.

He noted that compromising on quality would not help them in translating the dream of making the university as a centre of excellent in the county’s aviation industry and space science.

He spoke high of the government decision to develop the university into an important international entity in the field of aviation and space science and technology in fulfilling the national aspirations set on the occasion of the country’s 50 years of independence.

The vice-chancellor noted that the country’s aviation sector was growing as in many other parts around the world.

He, however, lamented that the sector was dependent mostly on foreigners, forcing the country to spend foreign currency on their services.

He said that they were preparing to shift the university campus to Lalmonirhat in July.

Initially, the undergraduate courses will be taken to the Lalmonirhat residential campus, facilitated by the Air Force, he added.

Nazrul Islam said that a development project proposal had already been submitted to the education ministry in connection with its permanent campus on the government allotted lands in the same city.

He said that he was overwhelmed by the willingness from students for admission to the university.

At present, the BSMRAAU has two batches of BSc in Aeronautical Engineering (Aerospace) and one batch of BSc in Aeronautical Engineering (Avionics) in the undergraduate programme.

The current graduate students of the university comprise two batches of MSc in Aviation Safety and Accident Investigation and MBA in Aviation Management and one batch of MSc in Aviation and Space Law.

From July 2022, the BSMRAAU will start offering MSc in Space System Engineering and MSc in Satellite Communication Engineering.

It has also a plan to offer MSc in Autonomous Systems Engineering, MSc in Aeronautical Engineering (Aerospace) and Aeronautical Engineering (Avionics) from the academic year 2022-23.

Nazrul Islam expected that the higher science degree seekers would give high priority to the university in future.

He also expected that the number of students would reach 300 in June 2022 and 700 by 2025.

Bangladesh's lone aviation univ prioritises research, development

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University has enhanced research and development activities in four areas in line with the nation’s goal of becoming...

www.newagebd.net

 

[Isa Khan]

He disclosed that they were also using help from the Air Force to run physical tests of rockets in the coming days.

DhumketuX team members are also part of this project. So one of the rocket from DhumketuX Zero series could be the one BSMRAAU is building.

Rockets - DhumketuX

These prototypes reassemble the improvements and opportunities from the Dhumketu zero series rockets. This is the beginning of an era of our very own aerospace technology in Bangladesh. After solid and hybrid fuel-based rockets, we will shift to something more efficient and eco-friendly...

dhumketux.com

Other projects:-

Satellite - DhumketuX

The Dhumketux Team Started The Nano satellite Project Called Cube Sat “Bangla Vasha”. The Dhumketux Team hoped to launch Cube Sat-E into low-Earth orbit by 2024 through the SPARRSO’s CubeSat Launch Initiative

dhumketux.com

Drone – DhumketuX

dhumketux.com

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=685933779698654

 

[Gary]

DhumketuX team members are also part of this project. So one of the rocket from DhumketuX Zero series could be the one BSMRAAU is building.

View attachment 53847
View attachment 53848

Rockets - DhumketuX

These prototypes reassemble the improvements and opportunities from the Dhumketu zero series rockets. This is the beginning of an era of our very own aerospace technology in Bangladesh. After solid and hybrid fuel-based rockets, we will shift to something more efficient and eco-friendly...

dhumketux.com

Other projects:-

Satellite - DhumketuX

The Dhumketux Team Started The Nano satellite Project Called Cube Sat “Bangla Vasha”. The Dhumketux Team hoped to launch Cube Sat-E into low-Earth orbit by 2024 through the SPARRSO’s CubeSat Launch Initiative

dhumketux.com

Drone – DhumketuX

dhumketux.com

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=685933779698654

Bayanno 52 has the word "Karmanline" which suggest that this will be powerful enough to reach the Karman line at ~100km altitude. I think this is overtly ambitious especially considering the 2024 timeline.

Our RX-450 which is larger than this, only manage 26km altitude at its latest test (2020) and its larger than the Dhumketu multi stage 1st stage motor from the look of it, not to mention a protracted development spanning almost a decade up to that point.

 

[Afif]

Bayanno 52 has the word "Karmanline" which suggest that this will be powerful enough to reach the Karman line at ~100km altitude. I think this is overtly ambitious especially considering the 2024 timeline.

Our RX-450 which is larger than this, only manage 26km altitude at its latest test (2020) and its larger than the Dhumketu multi stage 1st stage motor from the look of it, not to mention a protracted development spanning almost a decade up to that point.

View attachment 53874

Did Indonesia develop the propellant on its own¿

 

[Gary]

Did Indonesia develop the propellant on its own¿

yes, both solid and liquid fueled propellant and its engine. That's why it took so long.

Hence I question how DhumketuX will manage to fly its own in an instant.

 

[Afif]

yes, both solid and liquid fueled propellant and its engine. That's why it took so long.

Things like Ammonium perchlorate and aluminium powders are widely available and very cost effective. Why did it took so long?
( btw, my knowledge about rocket sceince is very basic )